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Wealthy Cimini, ESPN Employees AuthorNov 25, 2023, 10:49 AM ET
- Wealthy Cimini is a workers author who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Wealthy has coated the Jets for over 30 years, becoming a member of ESPN in 2010. Wealthy additionally hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He beforehand was a beat author for the New York Every day Information and is a graduate of Syracuse College. You possibly can comply with him by way of Twitter @RichCimini.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers is again with the New York Jets on a full-time foundation, desperate to return to the sphere, establishing an enormous resolution that can be made within the coming weeks. For now, the Jets have made a smaller resolution at quarterback.
Regardless of a shaky efficiency Friday, profession backup Tim Boyle will stay the starter.
“Yeah, we’re giving Timmy one other shot to roll subsequent week,” coach Robert Saleh mentioned Saturday morning on a convention name with reporters.
Boyle, in his Jets’ beginning debut, was sacked seven instances, tried solely 4 passes over 10 air yards and was intercepted twice — together with a Hail Mary that was returned 99 yards for a landing by security Jevon Holland within the Miami Dolphins‘ 34-13 win.
Saleh’s different choices are Trevor Siemian, the No. 2 quarterback Friday, and just-benched Zach Wilson. Requested about Siemian after the sport, Saleh mentioned, “I am not there but.” The Jets host the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 3.
The Jets (4-7), losers of 4 straight, are caught in a season-long funk — with solely 10 touchdowns by the offense. Rodgers’ damage, mixed with an ever-changing offensive line, has resulted in a traditionally inept offense. The struggles have been so profound in opposition to Miami that the Jets did not cross midfield till the fourth quarter.
Rodgers watched the mess from the sideline, carrying a headset. As an alternative of returning to California to proceed his rehab, his common routine, he remained in New Jersey — a key growth in his bid for an unprecedented return from Achilles surgical procedure.
From all indications, Rodgers — solely 10 weeks faraway from surgical procedure — needs to begin working towards in early December, with the hope of enjoying once more this season. He is mentioned to be concentrating on the Dec. 24 sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders.
“He is within the constructing,” Saleh mentioned, including that he had no replace on a possible apply date.
“Once we get a health care provider’s notice that claims he is clear, he’ll be cleared for apply then,” the coach added.
That is a simplistic tackle the scenario. Clearly, a risk-reward resolution of this magnitude can be multilayered and can contain extra than simply the medical doctors. Saleh has mentioned Rodgers will make the ultimate name, saying the four-time MVP will play if he needs to — if he is medically cleared.
Rodgers, who turns 40 on Dec. 2, can be taking an opportunity, contemplating the state of the offensive line. The Jets have began eight combos and 12 totally different gamers, a league excessive. They’ve allowed 47 sacks. Left tackles Mekhi Becton (sprained ankle) and Duane Brown (hip) may return for the subsequent sport, Saleh mentioned. Proper guard Wes Schweitzer (calf) is also a chance.
Boyle, who started the season on the apply squad after being launched on the finish of the preseason, was beneath duress all through the sport Friday. He accomplished 27 of 38 passes, however for under 179 yards.
“For essentially the most half, I felt like I noticed it effectively and I received the ball out of my arms,” Boyle mentioned after the sport. “I attempted to not take sacks, but it surely’s a part of the sport.”
The offense was so restricted that, apart from the Hail Mary on the finish of the primary half, Boyle did not try a cross longer than 10 yards till the fourth quarter, when the sport was out of attain.
“Clearly, there are issues that he may’ve performed higher,” Saleh mentioned. “There are issues he had no management over, and I do know he battled on the market, and we have been in a position to get to sure calls that we have been hoping to do. We have been in a position to execute a variety of the various things that we needed to execute. It simply did not come to full fruition.”
Embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett apparently is in no hazard of shedding his job. Hackett acquired a vote of confidence from Saleh after the sport. Saleh mentioned “there isn’t any consideration” to eradicating Hackett because the playcaller.
Hackett has a detailed relationship with Rodgers, which most likely is a consider his job safety. Boyle credited Rodgers for serving to him in the course of the sport, calling Rodgers “a peaceable, calming presence for me.” If Rodgers will get his method, quickly the roles might be reversed.
