Segment 1: A short tribute to veterans on Veteran's Day, and the late Steven Waterman

Segment 2: Jets, 27, Browns 20 Recap and Analysis (1:57)

Historic game:

• Browns lost a game for first time since 1950 with no turnovers and holding an opponent to 175 yards or less on offense; NFL teams had been 225-0 in that scenario
• First time Jets have scored on both a kickoff return AND a punt return in the same game (great special teams play continues)
• Browns did the unthinkable (special teams debacle) and unforgivable: two defensive penalties on last drive (defensive holding away from the play and getting drawn offside on fourth down)

Stats:

• QB play: 6 for 11, 54 passing yards, most on one play: Breece Hall's 42-yard TD on a screen (Rams QB Matthew Stafford had over 200 yards passing in first half)
• 6 sacks, including Will McDonald IV's 4 sacks, season total now 7
• Rookie TE Mason Taylor: 1 catch, 4 yards
• New WR John Metchie III (acquired via trade from Eagles), 1 catch, 3 yards
• WR Garrett Wilson reinjured his knee, placed on injury reserve (out at least 4 games, why have him come back and potentially get injured again in lost season

Segment 3: Jets/Patriots Thursday Night Preview: Tough Challenge for NYJ (11:45)

• Jets to win 3 in a row (a boy can dream); two touchdown underdog
• Patriots 8-2, leading the AFC East, winners of 7 straight, tied for best conference record
• QB Drake Maye playing very well, in MVP conversations; offense averaging almost 27 points per game, second in AFC, best rushing defense in league
• Only weakness: poor recent defense inside the red zone

Segment 4: NFL Week 11 and Week 12 Game Analysis (15:55)

Week 11

• Tampa Bay at Buffalo (both teams coming off a loss, Bucs vs. Pats, Dolphins beat the Bills)
• Seattle at LA Rams, tied for first place in NFC West, best record in NFC, both have 4 game winning streaks, could go a long way to winning the division and/or best NFC record
  • Seahawks added WR Rashid Shaheed from the Saints, adding another weapon for QB Sam Darnold; Rams WR Davante Adams hurt?
• Detroit at Philly (playoff seeding implications)
• Chicago at Minnesota (Bears surprisingly tied for divisional
• KC at Denver (Broncos a home dog; great coaching on both sidelines, Mahomes vs. Bo Nix favors KC, no CB Patrick Surtain for Denver)

Week 12

• Minnesota at Green Bay (have lost two in a row)
• Indy at KC
• Tampa Bay at LA Rams (Bucs at risk of losing 3 games in a row, Pats, Bills, Rams)
  • Rams solid all season, offense plays fast and elite D, fun team to watch (Colts too)
• Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, can one be an MVP candidate and underrated at the same time?

Segment 5: NFL Division Showdown Insights (27:40)

• Discussion around Niners QB Mac Jones good play, another example of QBs playing well under SF Head Coach Kyle Shanahan; Sam Darnold spent time in Niners system, played very well in Minny and now in Seattle; turn around Jets QB Justin Fields???
• NFC South: Carolina a surprise at 5-5, just a game and a half behind Tampa Bay
• The importance of backup QB play
• AFC North: Ravens on 3-game winning streak, just one game behind the Steelers

Segment 6: Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll Replacement Discussion (33:00)

• No surprise given team starting 2-8 for the third consecutive season
• Final straws, losing in Chicago after having a lead, one of several games they lost after having a lead (Case in point: losing in Denver, allowing 33 4th quarter points after having a shutdown after 3Q), and exciting rookie QB Jaxson Dart's concussion against the Bears, and how it happened
• Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka now interim head coach, has a chance to impress as Daboll's replacement?
• Intrigue around Minnesota Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores as an option; complication: Flores' continuing lawsuit against the Giants and NFL (has previous head coaching experience in Miami, did not end well, apparently wanted Justin Herbert not Tua); great work with Vikings D, deserves another head coaching shot
• Bill Belichick?
• Browns Coach Mike Stefanski if he becomes available?
• John Gruden (having too much fun without having to work 20 hour NFL coaching work day)
• Last good head coach goes back to Tom Coughlin; Giants management has poor record of head coaching hires

Segment 7: Jameis Winston gets the start for the Giants in Week 11 (43:25)

• Winston is fun to watch, perceived as an interception machine
• Last year as F/T starter in TB: 5,100 yards (!), 33 TDs, 30 INTs
• Comparison: Jets have only ONE QB in their history that's thrown for 4,000 yards or more; Aaron Rodgers came close last season

Segment 8: Final Thoughts (46:55)

• Rumor carousel on potential Giants head coach candidates
• KC D Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo? 5 Super Bowl rings with Giants (2) and KC (3)...64 years old, multimillion dollar salary...go through head coaching fun again? Very likely Hall of Famer...stay pat, wait for Chiefs Coach Andy Reid to retire?
• Discussion around how it helps coordinators to be mentored by great head coaches...example, former Jets Head Coach and now TB Leader Todd Bowles under Super Bowl winning Coach Bruch Arians

Segment 1: Details of biggest splash: Jets trade two stars in their prime for major draft capital to rebuild core talent (0:40)

• Trade CB Sauce Gardner to the Colts for two first round picks (2026 and 2027) and WR Adonai Mitchell
• Trade DT Quinnen Williams to Dallas for a first round pick in 2027, second rounder in 2026 and DT Mazi Smith (Cowboys' first round pick in 2023)
• Jets now have 5 first round picks and 3 second rounders over the next two NFL drafts

Segment 2: Trade Analysis (3:30)

• At 1-7, new Jets management -- first year head coach Aaron Glenn and first-time GM Darren Mougey -- makes the decision to go into full rebuild mode, likely not having the QB for next season on the roster
• Hope is a four letter word for fans
• The team now has the draft capital to bring in top talent to develop a new core to build around; decision made the current core was not getting it done (no winning seasons in years)
• Almost $80 million in salary cap space is created by the transactions over the next two seasons
• Discussion around which core players can management build around; offensive line the centerpoint; offensive weapons still needed, two cornerstones are D are gone
• Having draft capital is huge; the key is can Jets management turn around a long history of poor drafts to bring in the right talent and then DEVELOP it; being wrong on high draft selections can set back franchises for years. Case in point: former No. 2 overall pick QB Zach Wilson.
  • Another example: the entire 2020 draft class is no longer with the team. Oof
• Defensive secondary goes from strength to weakness
• Will the Jets be able to incorporate the new WRs acquired in recent trades to contribute this season
• The Colts are all in, playing well with potential MVP candidates QB Daniel Jones and RB Jonathan Taylor; brings in elite CB talent in Gardner to sure up their secondary
• Dallas moves to improve a porous defense giving up more than 30 points per game

Segment 3: Which teams did best at the trade deadline (21:25)

• Seahawks: Brought in talented WR Rashid Shaheed from the Saints to help an ascending team that has dominated at times
• Colts: in better position to get to the playoffs at the top seed in the AFC with Sauce on the team, significantly improving their defense to complement the NFL's highest scoring offense (only team with more than 300 points scored)
• Eagles: continue to improve talent; brought in Miami DE Jaelen Phillips and CB Jaire Alexander from Baltimore and slot CB Michael Carter II from the Jets; GM Howie Roseman class of the league
• Jaguars: acquire WR Jakobi Meyers from the Raiders to help add another weapon as they fight to make the playoffs

Segment 4: Observations from around the league (30:50)

• How will the Jets learn from mistakes of the first half of the season? Make rookie TE Mason Taylor a bigger weapon on offense?
• How do the Browns position QB Sheder Sanders for a potential future trade despite no NFL regular season game tape?
• Can the Bengals win some games with QB Joe Flacco before star Joe Burrow returns from injury?
• What do the Colts do with former starting QB Anthony Richardson?
• Ravens expected to make a run at a division title after a very slow start and QB Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury

Segment 5: The Challenges of Getting High Draft Picks Right, and the Travails of First Time Head Coaches learning on the job (41:30)

• Even great drafts don't guarantee GMs will last. Case in point: former Jets GM Joe Douglas hit the motherload with 2022 first round picks CB Sauce Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, Edge Rusher Jermaine Johnson and second rounder RB Breece Hall. Then after continued losing, was gone two seasons later.
• Trades for veteran QBs can backfire big time, especially teamed with a first time head coach not up to the job. Example: Denver trading for Russell Wilson. First time Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett went 4-11, the team was not competitive and was fired before finishing his first season
• Going down Jets memory lane of backup QBs
• One of the worst Jets draft picks of all time? A QB taken in the second round from Penn State who never played a down in the NFL in the regular season was ...

Segment 1: Insights Through Week 8 in the NFL (0:42)

• Savor the win!
• Huge loss: former Jets legend Nick Mangold passes away at 41 due to complications from kidney disease; drafted in the first round in 2006 with fellow offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson. (BTW: Ferguson played for 10 seasons, missed only one play, a gadget play that took him off the field)
• Week 7 vs. Carolina: lost 13-6
  • Game was unwatchable
  • QB Justin Fields benched after halftime (6-12, 46 passing yards, sacked 3 times)
  • Backup QB Tyrod Taylor entered game in the third quarter, threw two INTs including in the end zone
  • Jets D played well enough to win for second week in a row, offense did not handle their end
• Week 8 vs. Cincinnati: won 39-38
  • Great comeback, nice win for 0-7 team going into the bye week
  • Luckily played a team with a worse defense, took advantage
  • RB Breece Hall 3 TDs -- 2 rushing, 1 passing (game-winning play to TE Mason Taylor)
  • Played against former teammate, QB Joe Flacco
  • Came back from several deficits, including 38-24 in 4th quarter
  • Scored 3 TDs and not one, but two 2-point conversions
  • 39 points, 502 yards of offense and 254 yards rushing all season highs
  • QB Justin Fields bounced back in big way after benching: 244 yards passing, 1 TD pass
  • Credit the offensive line
  • Central question: Take off point for the offense, or just a gift playing the worst defense in the league (most points allowed, over 400 yards allowed/avg/game)?
  • Dallas D not far behind Cincinnati's

Segment 2: The Jets at Mid-Season: Where Do We Go from Here (17:00)

• Recapping 6 Point Plan to Fix the Jets outlined last podcast
• Rookie TE Mason Taylor showing flashes of being a bigger part of the offense, weapon in the red zone in Cincy; still need another pass-catching TE!
• Reality: 1-7 team, decisions to make going into the trading deadline Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 4 pm ET
• One trade made: brought in WR John Metchie III from the Eagles (4 games, 4 catches this season in Philly; 29 games in Houston) for slot corner Michael Carter II. Carter very good, but injuries and play of newly acquired CB Jarvis Brownlee made him expendable; really wanted to leave: waived his multi-million dollar injury guarantee for next season
• One key goal: see more development and growth from QB Justin Fields and Aaron Glenn, in his first year as an NFL head coach; rookie offensive coordinator finding his way
• 9 game season now, play like jobs on the line because they are
• Breece Hall talented playmaker...keep him or trade him if the GM will not sign him long term, get some draft capital back vs. losing a good player without compensation
• Do not repeat Giants mistake with Saquan Barkley

Segment 3: Look Ahead to Weeks 9 and 10/Games of Note (30:05)

Next Game: Jets host Cleveland, Week 10

• Tough assignment for Jets offense against stout Browns defense
• Browns struggling big-time offensively with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel
• Jets 0-5 at home so far

Week 11: Jets at New England (6-2)

• Patriots lead the AFC East division on nice winning streak, including beating Buffao
• Second-year QB Drake Maye having super sophomore year (leading stats), courtesy of talented Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
• Quite likely to win 10 games, have beaten four teams with losing records

Week 9 Games of Note

• Vikings (QB JJ McCarthy to start, Carson Wentz hurt, should have kept Sam Darnold?) at Detroit
• Colts at Pittsburgh: 7-1 Colts favored, Steelers on 2-game losing streak to Bengals and Packers
• Marquee game: Chiefs at Buffalo (Bills a home dog, must win for Buffalo)
• Arizona on 5-game losing streak, at Dallas (Cowboys good at keeping both teams in the game)
• Future Prediction: Jets will trade for Jordan Love in a decade, to become third ex-Packers QB to come in their twilight (Favre, Rodgers and Love)

Week 10 Games of Note

• New England at Tampa Bay
• Rams at Niners
• Steelers at Chargers
• Monday Night/Game of Week: Eagles/Packers
• Eagles getting calls from refs similar to the positive treatment Chiefs receive

Jets fans should enjoy the bye week with a Jets win.

Final Thoughts

6 Point Plan to Fix the NY Jets 2025-26 Season, NFL Insights Through Week 6

Segment 1: Recapping Jets games in Weeks 5 and 6 (0:46)

Week 5 vs Dallas: lost 37-22, down 23-3 at halftime, scored 19 points after game basically over

• Cowboys doubled their sack total (5 to 10), Dallas missing 4 starters on offensive line and star WR Ceedee Lamb... and Jets could not take advantage
• After RB Breece Hall fumble, team seemed unable to deal with diversity

Week 6 vs Broncos: lost 13-11

• History setting offensive performance: negative 10 passing yards, one of worst in NFL history
• 9 QB sacks allowed; QB Justin Fields inability to process information fast enough on full display
• Inexplicable coaching decisions (run out the clock at end of first half after successful fake punt); last offensive play on 4th and long, 7 step drop against predictable all out blitz w/o additional blocking support
• Jets only winless team at 0-6, continually beating themselves
• Seeing anticipated growing pains of first time NFL Head Coach Aaron Glenn: need to give him at least two full seasons as he is unfortunately learning on the job
• Team has let 3 great chances to win slip away (Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay after big comeback, Denver)
• Finally get first interception, new CB Jarvis Brownlee played well

Segment 2: 6 Point Plan to Fix the Jets' Issues (15:20)

• Change QB to Tyrod Taylor, create packages to use Justin Fields' running ability
• Go back to game plan used in Game 1 vs. Pittsburgh
• Trade or sign for veteran wide receiver to add weapons
• Trade or sign veteran tight end
• Find veteran leader in locker room to hold players accountable
• Be more aggressive with play calling, get away from wildly conversative approach
• Big decision: trade talent like WR Breece Hall (3 down back, averaging 4.7 YPC) at trade deadline either for a stud wide receiver or looking ahead to 2026? Trade Deadline: November 4, 4 pm
• Question: trust management's talent evaluations to hit on additional draft picks?
• Don't have next year's QB on the roster
• Note to Jets offensive coaching staff: check out how NY Giants are using rookie QB Jaxson Dart; why can't the Jets use a similar plan with Justin Fields to play to his strengths better, like Week 1 vs. the Steelers

Segment 3: Look ahead to Weeks 7 (Carolina) and 8 (Bengals) (33:25)

• Panthers have their best record through six weeks since 2021, 4th best rushing attack
• Carolina 0-3 on the road this season, inconsistent QB play
• Rookie WR McMillan playing well
• Bengals 0-4 since QB Joe Burrow was injured
• Jets will face old friend QB Joe Flacco in Cincy
• Cincy relying on No. 1 WR Ja'Marr Chase given ineffective running game

Segment 4: Week 7 and 8 Games of Note (41:01)

Week 7

• Can 40-year-old Joe Flacco lead the Bengals to beat the Steelers?
• Eagles at Minnesota
• The Giants, in Denver, are exciting to watch with rookie QB Dart and battering ram rookie RB Cam Skattabou
• Colts in LA to play the Chargers
• Tampa Bay at Detroit

Week 8

• Green Bay at Pittsburgh
• Commanders at KC (Future Hall of Famers at QB, Head Coach and D Coordinator (5 Super Bowl rings)
• Detroit at KC game Week 6: TD called back on procedural penalty on QB Jared Goff...rule change coming?
• Too many penalties in the NFL!!! (More on this planned in future podcasts)

Segment 1: Observations: Jets in Weeks 3 and 4 of the NFL Season (0:36)

· Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay: Jets lost 29-27…brutal to lose game after scoring 3 TDs in 4th quarter, including defensive TD after trailing 20-6 at the half, 23-6 after 3, and still lose

• Season trend of trailing in games, making late comebacks and losing continues
• Strong 4Q, with backup QB Tyrod Taylor leading 2 TD drives, and edge rusher Will McDonald blocking a FG and running it back for a defensive TD
• Team's going to win that game, right? Left way too much time for QB Baker Mayfield
• Where are the weapons in addition to WR Garrett Wilson? Rookie WR Arian Smith, speedster: 2 catches for 2 yards
• Defense had chance to seal first win by stopping QB Baker Mayfield and the Bucs' offense...

· Week 4 vs the Dolphins: Lost 27-21, most winnable game on the schedule first month

• Jets continue to beat themselves: 3 fumbles lost, 13 penalties, including several offensive pre-snap infractions, killing momentum
• RB Braelon Allen fumbled as he was about to score going into the end zone late in Q1
• Outgained Miami 404-300, including dominant night rushing, 23 first downs
• QB Justin Fields returned from a concussion, had more rushing yards through 3Q than passing yards; rookie TE Mason Taylor had a multiple catch game (5 for 65 yards)
• D let formerly retired TE Darren Waller to score 2 TDs, held Fish to 177 yards passing
• Injuries mounting: why have Braelon Allen returning kickoffs! Knee injury

Segment 2: Observations over first Month of the Season (13:19)

• Many issues in all 3 phases: offense, defense and specials teams - stop penalties, fumbles!
• Is Justin Fields the QB for the short term? Figure out options to one dimensional offense
• D playing worst in years; free agent S Andre Cisco and secondary playing poorly; force some turnovers!
• Key trend: Jets outscored 50-12 in the first half over past 3 games
• Need more weapons in passing game

Segment 3: Looking Ahead to Weeks 5-6 (14:48)

• Jets hosting Dallas in Week 5: Dallas D second worst in the league, should be able to score; to win, will need to win the turnover battle
• Week 6: Jets and Broncos in London: Denver D playing well, young QB with strong coaching; 6th year in a row the two teams have played
• Key question: do the Jets get a win before the bye week? Dallas, Panthers and Bengals up next. Prediction: Yes!

Segment 4: Observations around the League Weeks 3 and 4 (24:39)

• Ravens 1-3, struggling, given up most points in NFL, major injury bug
• Giants surprise the undefeated Chargers 21-18, spark from rookie QB Jaxson Dart; Giants D played well and turnover free football played major role in the win; rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter leads all rookies in QB pressures; lost star WR Malik Nabers to ACL injury
• Biggest surprises? Steelers, Colts and Jags at 3-1, Ravens 1-3
• Eagles not playing best football and still finding ways to win against good comp; Jalin Hurts 0-8 in second half in win over Rams; have not warmed up WRs; great fake tush push call
• Browns have started more QBs than any other team in league (41) since 1999; Flacco benched in favor of rooke QB Dillon Gabriel (team ranks 31st in scoring)

Segment 5: Weeks 5 and 6 Games of Note (40:13)

Week 5

• Niners and Rams
• Pats at Buffalo
• Denver at Philly
• Chiefs at Jags
• Commanders and Chargers
• Bucs at Seahawks
• Giants at 0-4 New Orleans...NYG 2-3 after Week 5? Saints think THEY can get in win column

Week 6

• Giants host Eagles on Thursday night, play twice in three weeks; TOUGH schedule
• Seahawks at Jags (playing above weight class)
• Rams at Ravens (Lamar Jackson to return from hamstring injury)
• Niners at Tampa Bay
• Lions at KC, Sunday night game
• Colts dilemma: if QB Daniel Jones continues to play well, what do you do with QB Anthony Richardson; potential landing spots for Richardson

Segment 1: Breaking Down the Jets First Two Games (0:35)

Week 1: Steelers 34, Jets 32

• Balanced offensive attack, offensive line dominant/nearly 200 yards
• Stout run D (just 53 yards allowed); but 4 passing TDs allowed to QB Aaron Rodgers
• Steelers hit 60-yard-FG - welcome to the new NFL
• Unforgivable Jets fumble led to Steelers TD in the 4th quarter
• Offense and QB Justin Fields (16-22, 218 yards, 3 TDs, 1 passing, 2 rushing) exceeded expectations, optimism about competitiveness despite frustrating loss in Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn's debut

Week 2: Bills 30, Jets 10

• Key question: how does NFL team play a non-competitive game two weeks in the season?
• QB Justin Fields: 3-11 passing, 27 yards - 8 net -- and a lost fumble; left game with a concussion; 0-11 on third down
• Bills D, after giving up 238 yards rushing in Week 1 vs. Baltimore, held Jets to 100 yards rushing, 154 yards overall
• Jets rush D shredded by the Bills offense (224 yards rushing, 5.2 yards/carry)
• Jets D allowing 32 points per game, 4th worst in the league
• Injuries:
  • QB Fields concussion
  • Edge Jermaine Johnson II suffered ankle inury
  • S Tony Adams (groin injury)
  • Slot CB Michael Carter II hurt his shoulder
  • Rookie TE Mason Taylor nursing high ankle sprain from preseason
• Some bright spots: rookie RT Armand Membou has allowed no sacks, has no penalties, Sauce Gardner has more pass breakups (3) than receptions allowed

Segment 2: Preview of Weeks 3 and 4 (20:15)

• Week 3: At Tampa Bay
  • Tampa Bay 2-0 (both wins on road), coming off late game-winning drive in Houston
  • QB Baker Mayfield has 5 TDs through first two games, tweaked his knee vs. Texans
  • Bucs dealing with a number of injuries on the offensive line
  • Tampa Bay: run D a key strength, vs. Jets' goal of establishing the run
  • QB Fields ruled out with concussion; Jets will look to bounce back after blowout loss with backup QB Tyrod Taylor getting the start
• Week 4: At Miami (Monday Night)
  • Jets best chance to win so far this season
  • Miami: winless, 0-2, 66 points allowed through Week 2 is second most in the league
  • Dolphins D struggles: gave up points in 13 of the 15 possessions vs. the Colts (33-8 loss), vs. Patriots (33-27 loss)
  • Lots of offensive talent: WRs Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, RB Devon Achane

Segment 3: Around the League Insights, Week 3 Games to Watch (33:00)

• Insights on the AFC West, NFC East divisions
• 10 2-0 teams, 10 0-2 teams
• Rams No. 1 in league in points allowed
• Colts (2-0) biggest surprise in the league so far, with QB Daniel "Indiana" Jones leading the way
• Chargers and Packers most impressive teams through Week 2
• Bengals QB Joe Burrow out three months following surgery
• Commanders will be moving back to DC, will build new stadium
• 0-2 Chiefs facing uphill battle
• Highlight games of the week: Rams at Eagles, Broncos at Chargers, Lions/Ravens Monday night

Segment 1: Draft and Preseason Recap

• Brought in QB Justin Fields ($40M)
• Resigned stars WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner to long-term extensions
• Draft picks include rookie RT to strengthen the offensive line, TE Mason Taylor and intriguing 4th rounders speedster Georgia WR Arian Smith as deep threat and Alabama S Malachi Moore
• Gone are QB Aaron Rodgers (Steelers), CB DJ Reed (Lions, one of the best free agent signings in years), LB CJ Mosley (retired), underperforming DT Javon Kinshaw (Commanders, $45M!)

Segment 2: Season Preview: the Good, Bad and the Ugly (8:35)

Good

• Expect strong running game by committee
• Improved defense expected after last year's porous run D, the return of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson after serious injury
• Traded for much needed run stuffing D linemen Harrison Phillips (Vikings), Jowon Briggs (Browns)
• Good offensive line (injury update below), with the plan of having left and right tackles to play together for the next decade
• Improved special teams through resigning of veteran K Nick Folk after other kickers' missed FGs and PATs cost the team a few wins last season

Bad

• Growing Pains: this is Aaron Glenn's first NFL heading coaching role; ditto new GM Darren Mougey and first time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand
• Did not replace veteran WR talent after Davante Adams was cut
• Depth at QB?: If Fields gets hurt, backup QB Tyrod Taylor has a long history of injury; untested rookie QB Brady Cook (Missouri) awaits his first NFL snap

Ugly

• Fields is playing for his third team in as many seasons, having to master yet another offensive system, from a rookie OC
• Where are the offensive weapons after the RBs and WR Garrett Wilson for Fields to work with? One dimensional offenses struggle to score points, win games
• RG Alijah Vera-Tucker injured his triceps, potentially ending his season; O line goes to Plan B with free agent Josh Myers (Green Bay, former Fields teammate at Ohio State) to play center and C Joe Tippmann to slide over to RG

Segment 3: Week 1-4 Predictions (18:45)

• Jets face major challenge week 1 vs. the Steelers defense; expect the team to be motivated to play well under new head coach Aaron Glenn; likely Steeler win but there's a chance to steal one this early in the season
• Jets to struggle vs. Buffalo in Week 2, Tampa in Week 3, chance for success Week 4 in Miami
• 1-3 record after September quite possible

Segment 4: AFC East Insights and Observations (32:50)

• Bills the class of the division with MVP QB Josh Allen
• Expect the Patriots to be much improved under new head coach Mike Vrabel and returning OC Josh McDaniels; tough test for rookie LT Will Campbell Week 1 vs. Raiders all-pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby
• Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel under the microscope; potentially explosive offense suffers when QB Tua Tagovailoa misses time with injuries; they are counting on backup Zach Wilson if Tua goes down (thank you!)
• Goal for Jets: split the season series with Bills, Pats, Dolphins

Segment 5: Other NFL Insights (35:50)

• Niners bounce back (coach, talent, scheme, weak schedule), win the division; Rams to be tough, concerns about health of QB Matthew Stafford
• Trade of stud edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay shifts the balance of power in that division and NFC
• Giants to have more talent, better record than the Jets despite tough schedule and having to play in the NFC East? They play Washington tough, Dallas could be vulnerable; will Eagles RB Saquan Barkley stay healthy?
• AFC West should be very competitive with KC, Chargers and Broncos fighting it out for supremacy; expect the Raiders to be improved under Pete Carroll, QB Geno Smith and rookie RB Ashton Jeanty
• Colts have Daniel Jones as starting QB...will Indy be improved?

Segment 1: 3 Major Needs Going into the 2025 NFL Draft (Starts at 0:26)

• Protect New QB Justin Fields/Offensive Line Protection
• Acquire additional offensive weapons, including WR and TE, to help score more points
• Improve the defense, especially against the run

Segment 2: Analysis: Were Major Needs Addressed? (0:55)

• Is the team better now, given free agent and undrafted signings, and the new draft picks?
• For the second year in a row, major decision: OT or TE?
• 2006 Draft: first two picks (Ferguson and Mangold) landed the team two offensive lineman for a decade
• 2025 Draft Picks Rundown:
  • First Round: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
  • Second Round: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
  • Third Round: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
  • Fourth Round #1: Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
  • Fourth Round #2: Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
  • Fifth Round: Francisco Mauigoa, LB, Miami
  • Sixth Round: Tyler Baron, DE, Miami
• Observations and Insights:
  • Needs addressed: OL and TE (still need more depth)
  • Needs not addressed: WR -- still gaping hold past Garrett Wilson, and DL (signed 4 DL in free agency for depth)
  • QB Update
    • Opted to add weapons for Justin Fields, did not draft a QB (signed UDFA QB Brade Cook, Missouri)
    • 2024 Fifth Round Pick QB Jordan Travis, Florida State, retired after the draft
    • Wise to draft a QB every year for competition and to fight a QB diamond in the rough
  • Biggest name in UDFA signings: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
  • Concern: ability to score enough points?
  • Jets Cap Space: $27 million+ providing options to sign more players

Segment 3: AFC East Draft Review (33:00)

• Bills: traded up three times directly ahead of Jets during the draft; first five picks were on defense
• Dolphins: drafted three defensive linemen; former Jets QB Zach Wilson now the main backup for oft-injured (concussions) Tua Tagovailoa; major mistake? Team a QB injury away from rebuild?
• Patriots: apparently good draft; first four picks on offense to help rebuild one of the NFL's worst offensive units in 2024
• Road to Super Bowl runs through KC, with pitstops in Buffalo (and Baltimore?)
• Eagles (and Tampa Bay before that vs. KC) has shown best way to beat the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes: strong pash rush

Segment 4: Final Thoughts (39:45)

• Do the Jets have a puncher's chance to fight for a wild-card playoff slot with first year head coach and GM?
• Fan expectations: develop young players, fewer 3 and outs on offense, better discipline (fewer penalties, especially on third down), be competitive every week
• Strong running game and improved defense critical to success

The Post Aaron Rodgers/NY Jets Era Has Begun: 42:28

Segment 1: Quick Review of the 2024-25 Jets Season (Starts at 0:30)

• Disappointing 5-12 finish; hard to believe former QB Zach Wilson led the team to more wins than future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers
• Opportunities Squandered:
  • Rodgers had the most dropped passes in the NFL (36)
  • Jets led the league with 6 blown 4th quarter leads
  • Team was 3-7 in one-score games
  • Missed FGs and PATs led to losses
• Fired Head Coach Robert Saleh after 5 games, did not provide the intended spark
• Longest playoff drought in professional sports (14 seasons) in North America continues; one key constant over that span
• Defense (porous run defense, few turnovers generated) and special teams both regressed
• Only one way but up???

Segment 2: A Recap of the Busy Off-Season including the Hiring of a New Head Coach and GM, in that order (7:57)

• Cautious optimism around new Head Coach Aaron Glenn, former Jets first round pick and quality cornerback, experienced major turnaround under tutelage of Bill Parcells from 1-15 team; spent last 4 seasons as Lions defensive coordinator, part of coaching staff building a winner in Detroit
• Pattern of hiring head coaches and GMs with no previous NFL experience in those roles continues; ditto with the offensive coordinator selection
• First big decision made: Aaron Rodgers' future; threw for close to 3,900 yards and 28 TDs, both third-best single season performances in franchise history; massive salary cap hit over next 2 seasons
• Addition of Packers OL Josh Myers (who played with new QB Justin Fields at Ohio State) to provide flexibility and movement along the offensive line?

Segment 3: Initial Thoughts on the First Wave of Free Agent Signings (18:45)

• The Justin Fields era begins: 2 years and $40M, $30M guaranteed; gives indication of offensive philosophy; can the new coaching staff maximize his talent given Jets' history on not being able to develop young quarterbacks?
• Commentary on the 10+ free agents signed (to 1-year deals), strategy: focus on young talent with upside and for roster depth

Segment 4: Needs Going into the NFL Draft Next Month (28:00)

• Top needs going into the draft: OL, DL, WR, TE, CB
• Strong nucleus of young talent: can it be developed and converted into wins?
• Intriguing options with the No. 7 overall selection in round one: edge rusher? Offensive lineman to replace RT Morgan Moses? Playmaker/weapons for the new QB...Penn State TE Tyler Warren, who set a number of Nittany Lion and Big 10 records last season? A QB???
• Signs the new leadership team is demonstrating progress: more wins, Justin Fields showing he can be a franchise QB/2025 version of Sam Darnold; increased discipline (fewer mental mistakes and penalties); strong in-game clock management; building a winning culture

This episode features a look into the Jets 2023 season following QB Aaron Rodgers' Achilles tendon injury -- after just four offensive plays -- in the Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills. Guest co-host: Nigel Anderson, fellow long-time Jets fan.

34:08

Segment 1: 0:40 Aaron Rodgers is lost for the season after being sacked. Reminiscent of QB Vinny Testaverde's Achille's tendon tear on a non-contact injury during the first game of the 1999 season. The team had Super Bowl aspirations after reaching the AFC Championship Game in Denver. At least the Jets won the game against Buffalo last week. The much-discussed fears of the offensive line's issues came true very quickly. Bills QB Josh Allen's four turnovers were critical in the loss.

Segment 2: 3:30, 6 Observations from Week 1 OT Win Vs. the Bills.

• Jets appear to be a pretty good team. Sample size of one game. Defense played very well. Lots of positives, including strong running game (170+ yards) and come-from-behind win against a tough divisional opponent with Super Bowl aspirations. Negative: 117 net passing yards...will be hard to win games with that level of production.
• RB Breece Hall had a triumphant comeback following off-season knee surgery and looked phenomenal. Career high 127 yards. First touch: a 20+ yard run on the Jets' first offensive play. Also had an 83 yard scamper. Having Dalvin Cook as part of a strong 1-2 RB punch will be critical as the team will rely on the ground game with Wilson under center.
• Looks like the Jets found a gem in undrafted free agent Xavier Gipson, who scored on the game's winning play: a long punt return for a TD in OT after the Jets D forced the Bills' 3 and out.
• Offensive line still a huge concern, especially against the Cowboys strong pash rush (Week 2 matchup). Question: why not bring in another veteran OT or 2 in addition to the draft?
• Zach Wilson was named the starting QB by Coach Robert Saleh. "This is Zach's team." There will be no QB competition. Jets fans likely disagree with that approach. The team needs to bring in a competent NFL QB ASAP. We discuss potential QB options.
• Key to Jets' success: the development of Coach Saleh and his in-game management. Did he make the right call to kick a FG late in the game vs. Buffalo instead of going for a TD after Allen's fumble inside the Bills 30?

Segment 3: 24:30, Giants at Arizona, Week 2 matchup. "Get right" game for the Jints after getting blown out by Dallas 40-0 in their home opener. Must game given the Giants are at San Francisco in Week 3. The Niners looked great in dominating Pittsburgh in Week 1. Nigel: SF will go to the Super Bowl.

Segment 4: 26:08, "The Phil Rotondi Rule" (hypothesis while at Brooklyn College years ago): NFL teams can't win the Super Bowl if they get shut out or give up 40 points or more on defense. Nigel: quarterbacks that don't play at least 25 games in college tend to not excel in the NFL.

Segment 5: 30:05, Already in the Post-Rodgers Portion of the 2023 Season. Questions of what could have been. Will he rehab and come back, or retire? The expectation: Rodgers will not "limp into retirement" and will play again for the Jets. Only thing we know for sure: the Jets will send a second round pick, not a first, to Green Bay to complete the Rodgers trade because Rodgers will not play at least 65% of the offensive snaps. Another brutal night for Jets fans. Zach Wilson needs to up his game. Jet management's plan to start Wilson after Rodgers' retirement moves up a season or two or three. Here's to hoping all of the coaching and mentoring of Wilson by Rodgers over the summer will make a major difference in the QB's play and approach. It's a long season.

Audio production: Nicky Wetherell