Jets Mailbag: Would New York consider an in-season coaching change?

The Jets dropped their opener to the 49ers. That wasn’t what most fans were hoping to see. To help cope with that disappointment, we figured we’d open the mailbag to address your concerns on the state of the Jets. 

Let’s get right to it. 

Would the Jets consider making a coaching change if they were to start the season 1-2? - @TrpkovskiM1 

I remember discussing this back when the Jets had Adam Gase. Will say the same thing now as I did then: Something wildly dramatic and drastic would have to happen for Woody Johnson to make an in-season fire. 

John Idzik and Mike Maccagnan finished out the year. Gase, Rex Ryan, too. The Johnsons just don’t believe in making an in-season change because they do not believe it fixes anything. They also don’t like the message it would send to a prospective new coach that they’re willing to fire people in-season. 

A 1-2 start would not be ideal, especially considering that means the Jets split with the Titans and Patriots. With that said: It would take a lot more to get Robert Saleh fired. Truthfully, I don’t think it would fix anything, either. Seldom do in-season changes have the impact that Antonio Pierce had with the Raiders. 

Do you think the struggles against the run in Week 1 are fixed with a few adjustments, or were the Jets exposed? - @Common_Jets_Fan  

That was alarming. Having talked to multiple Jets players, I can tell you that performance took them aback. It’s not that they lost; it's how they lost. Seeing their defense gashed did not sit well. 

It’s important to note, though, that the Jets defense (the primary starters) did not play a single preseason down together. They also did not work a single tackling drill (bring the ball carrier to the ground) during the training camp practices open to the media. I know people like to say the preseason is fake football and doesn’t count, but that’s simply not true. It plays an important role in knocking some cobwebs off. 

Personally, I believe what you saw Monday night was more a result of the defense having rust and going up against maybe the best rushing attack in the NFL. It’s not time to panic yet. If the struggles continue against Tony Pollard and the Titans, though, then it is time to worry.

I know you’ve said that you think the Jets can win 10 games, but is it possible they win 12 and take the division? - @bfoti21 

I still believe the Jets have 12-plus-win talent on their roster. Their lone two weaknesses are safety and receiver two – and the latter might be absolved if what Allen Lazard did Monday night (six catches, 89 yards, two touchdowns) is a sign of things to come. 

The lone reason I had them at 10 wins was what I believe hurt them most against San Francisco – rust. There’s going to be an acclimation period as these guys learn to play together. The defense hadn’t played a meaningful snap of tackle football since they walked off the field in New England. The offense has three new starters up front (Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson), two players coming off the injured reserve (Alijah Vera-Tucker and Rodgers), and two receivers trying to find their way for opposite reasons (Lazard, Mike Williams). 

This isn’t a video game. It takes time. There are going to be bumps in the first month-plus of the season. Not enough to sink the Jets, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see them hovering around .500 after eight weeks.  

But, once the Jets hit their stride, look out. That 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive wasn’t an aberration but a sign of what they can do when it comes together. The defense held its own against San Francisco to start the game, too, before it got worn down (time of possession finished 38:40 to 21:20).  

Has there been any movement at all with Haason Reddick? - @Jets_Banter 

I really wish I could tell you something different, but no. I check in almost daily with four different sources to see if there is any movement. There literally has not been any change since he skipped mini-camp. It’s the exact same thing: Reddick will not report until he gets a new deal, but the Jets won’t negotiate a new deal until he shows up. Neither side has been willing to budge, so, quite literally, nothing has changed. 

There have been some conversations between Joe Douglas and Reddick’s agent Tory Dandy in recent weeks. From my understanding, nothing really came of them.

The Jets seem hellbent on not changing their stance, so everything I’ve been told is that they’re just waiting for him to decide to show up. He could do that tomorrow. He might not do that all year. No one knows when Reddick will decide to show up. 

I do not know Reddick well personally. My interactions with him have been limited to this feature I wrote when he was entering the NFL Draft and having to go full-TMZ at his recent charity event when he declined to talk to the media. I have caught up with two former teammates of his, though. They both said he is the type of person that, when he puts his mind to something, will not veer off it. They genuinely believed he's willing to sit the entire season until he gets what he wants, to stick it to the Jets. 

I genuinely do wish I could provide you more. You’re not the only one who’s asked – friends, family, my bosses, my producers, random people I run into at the bar (yes, really). Unfortunately, this is the truth: I’ve been saying the exact same thing since mini-camp because it’s been the exact same thing since mini-camp. It really is a beyond frustrating situation. 

I know that the Jets have insisted they are not trading Reddick – I’m told that’s still the case. I wonder if that will eventually change. To me, this just isn’t worth the headache.