Jets' offensive line not up to standard for Aaron Rodgers

3 hours ago 1

For the most part, the explosive plays haven't been there for the New York Jets' offense thus far this season, even with future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the controls.

In the lopsided Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Jets' longest pass completion was 15 yards to running back Breece Hall. Garrett Wilson averaged 8.0 yards per catch and Davante Adams had a long of 14.

The lack of downfield passing game isn't a product of Rodgers's arm, which is still live, but his inability to escape pressure is certainly a factor. As for the main reason why the Jets haven't hit many long balls, Rodgers suggested it's on the offensive line.

"We got to block it up. We got to be able to block it up. If we want to take shots down the field, we got to block it up front. If we do that, we got a chance, but otherwise, we got to keep quarterback clean, part of us has to run the ball. We got to run the ball a little more effectively and maybe a little more so we can get some of those action passes," said Rodgers.

Entering the Week 11 home game against the Indianapolis Colts, the 40-year-old Rodgers is averaging only 6.4 yards per pass attempt. That ranks 26th amongst qualifying NFL quarterbacks.

In defense of Rodgers, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich also hinted that protection is key.

"I mean we would like to take more shots as an offense. On Sunday, we ran into some protection stuff early on there that got us out of some of the downfield shots, got us out of some of the play action shots, so we've just got to be committed to it. We got to be better from protection and we got to execute when we do protect, and we get it blocked up right," said Ulbrich.