The New York Jets hold a mediocre 2-5 record through seven weeks, and their latest addition, 31-year-old wide receiver Davante Adams, isn’t convinced that changing up plays is the solution to their slow start.
Davante Adams Might Be Right About New York Jets
Many fans are questioning New York’s offensive strategies, but Adams feels it’s more about executing what’s already on the table.
In his recent appearance on the “Up and Adams Show,” alongside host Kay Adams, the former Las Vegas Raiders player discussed lingering issues surrounding the Jets.
“It’s not even about doing anything differently. More of converting the opportunities we had in the game,” he said.
While acknowledging that the Jets moved the ball effectively, Adams was disappointed at their struggle to capitalize when it mattered most.
“It was more about not letting certain opportunities slip away, converting on third down, not getting all the way down there, and leaving it up to a field goal,” he pointed out.
Should the #Jets consider changing up their offensive play-calling??
Davante Adams: "It's not even about doing anything differently, more just converting… It was relatively easy for us to move the ball at times." @tae15adams @heykayadams @nyjets @MSGNetworks | #JetUp pic.twitter.com/yyUaDSP9rb
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 22, 2024
Adams believes that the NFL is a “copycat league,” meaning it’s not about reinventing the wheel but doing what’s necessary to get the win.
Rather than make changes, Adams wants to stick with the plan but finish strong when it counts.
His reaction comes after the Jets tried to address their issues and failed terribly. On Oct. 10, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced that Todd Downing would replace Nathaniel Hackett as the team’s offensive play-caller.
“After a lot of time to think about it, and did not make this decision easily, by any means, I’m going to make Todd Downing the play-caller for the New York Jets moving forward,” added Robert Saleh’s successor.
Interim HC Jeff Ulbrich announced Todd Downing will take over play calling pic.twitter.com/5Uke0DNOWn
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) October 10, 2024
Downing is the Jets’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Hackett, meanwhile, has been New York’s offensive coordinator since last season.
For Ulbrich, it was more about a fresh breath of air. Yet, the Jets lost the two games that followed — a home game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6 and another road loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.
The Jets are now on a four-game losing streak, and the team’s hopes of a deep playoff run are fading. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was expected to steer the ship, admitted the team’s lack of consistency.
“We just don’t do the little things well enough, consistently enough — myself included,” Rodgers acknowledged following a tough 37-15 loss to the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers: “We just don’t do the little things well enough consistently.”
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 21, 2024
The addition of Adams and Haason Reddick finally reporting to the team offered a glimmer of hope, but to no success so far. The Jets should know where to start for improvement, with continued struggles in the running game and poor play-calling. Against the Steelers, they totaled just 54 yards on 15 attempts.
Despite knowing what needs to be done, the questions remain about whether it’s too late to turn things around.