Jets Have Pass Protection Problem to Solve ASAP

Keeping quarterback off his back likely essential to team's success or lack thereof

The New York Jets' Achilles heel reared its head on the first offensive series and contributed to an Achilles rupture for the team's future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.

The offensive line's ability to effectively pass protect was a question throughout training camp. Once the regular season began, and the red jersey came off, it would be paramount to keep their 39-year-old field general upright.

With the Buffalo Bills bringing the heat early, Aaron Rodgers was pressured on all three of his dropbacks Monday night. 

Rodgers's lone official pass attempt was a throw-away after escaping a rush by Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau, who hopped over a cut block attempt by right tackle Mekhi Becton. Rousseau was able to get close to Rodgers on the next play, too, but the savvy veteran got rid of the ball in time and tight end Tyler Conklin was able to draw a holding penalty down field.

On the third straight pass play, the Bills finally took Rodgers down to the turf with defensive end Leonard Floyd getting the sack after rushing past left tackle Duane Brown. Trying to escape Floyd's grasp as he was being wrestled to the ground, Rodgers sustained the devastating injury.

"It looks like his foot gets caught. He has someone on his back and he tries to escape. His calf muscle overpowers the Achilles tendon and there is a rupture," said said Dr. David Chao, who spent 17 years as the San Diego Chargers' team doctor. 

Chao, who goes by @ProFootballDoc on the social media site now known as X, hosted an interactive halftime chat and provided video-based analysis of Rodgers's injury.

There were likely numerous contributing factors to the Achilles rupture, including Rodgers's medical history. Naturally, fans have pointed to the infamous artificial playing surface at MetLife Stadium.

"No way to know for sure [if the injury would have occurred on natural grass], but the biggest factor was the defender on Aaron Rodgers's back, not the surface," said Chao in a post on X.

Whether or not the turf played a part in the injury, the problem originated with Floyd's ability to sack Rodgers from the blindside. 

The Bills proceeded to sack Zach Wilson twice even as the Jets attempted to mitigate the pass rush with a short, quick passing game. As a whole, the pass protection wasn't up to snuff. 

In what some may interpret as a desire to strengthen the offensive line, Gang Green held a workout with veteran free agent DJ Fluker on Tuesday although no signing appears imminent. At this point in his injury-riddled career, Fluker may not offer more than the Jets can get in house from second-string tackles Billy Turner and Max Mitchell.

The front five's Week 1 performance may have something to do with the fact that the starting offensive line configuration had never taken a single in-game rep together until Monday night. 

"I thought they did a good job for the first time out and fully expecting us to be a lot better next week," said Saleh on Wednesday during Dallas Cowboys' Week.

Brown was on the PUP list for most of training camp and it wasn't until mid-August when Becton began the switch to right tackle. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who had offseason surgery, was playing his first regular season game since Week 7 last year.

"I felt like our protection got better as the game went on," said Saleh. "It can always be better, but I thought it was, from a dropback standpoint, you look at the third downs in the second half, Zach had some time to throw the football and deliver a couple of strikes."

The unit may be able to improve over time, but they have the challenging task of trying to jell on the fly. They'll have to be ready right from the get-go in Week 2 as it won't get any easier against the Dallas Cowboys and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons. 

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