Tag: Jets News

49ers Week 1 opponent dealing with contract drama of their own

The 49ers aren’t the only team with contract drama!

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t the only team dealing with contract drama entering the second week of the preseason.

While the 49ers deal with a holdout from left tackle Trent Williams, and the mess that has become wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s hold-in, their Week 1 opponent is dealing with a contract issue of their own.

The New York Jets acquired defensive end Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 29 for a conditional 2026 draft pick. They’ve yet to come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension, leading to a holdout from the two-time Pro Bowler. He has now officially requested a trade according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. The Jets swiftly responded with a statement from general manager Joe Douglas, indicating they won’t trade him, and they expect him to be in training camp.

Reddick is entering the final year of a three-year contract he originally signed with the Eagles before the 2022 campaign.

This is part of the reason why Aiyuk wasn’t more quickly dealt by the 49ers. They couldn’t just send him to whichever team gave him the best offer because the deal would be contingent on Aiyuk agreeing to sign a long-term contract. In that case the acquiring club would avoid a situation like the Jets have with Reddick.

While it isn’t good to have any kind of contract drama this late into camp, the 49ers can find at least a little solace that their Week 1 opponent is also working through similar headaches.

The Jets and 49ers are slated to face off on Monday Night Football to close out Week 1 of the regular season. Kickoff from Levi’s Stadium is scheduled for 5:15pm Pacific Time.

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Studs and duds from Chargers’ 27-6 win over the Jets

Let’s look back at the notable performers from the Chargers’ win over Jets.

The Chargers extended their winning streak to two with a dominant 27-6 win against the Jets at Met Life. Traveling to the East Coast is never easy and LA got it done against one of the tougher defenses in the league.

For the second time this season, the Bolts are back at .500 with a chance to get back into playoff contention.

Before diving into Week 10’s Lions matchup, let’s look back at the week’s notable performers.

Stud: EDGE Joey Bosa

It’s a night and day difference when Joey Bosa is healthy in the lineup. Bosa had just six pressures and one sack in the three games that he was dealing with a broken toe on the injury report. In the last two weeks that he’s been in the clear medically, Bosa has 11 pressures, four sacks, and nine stops in the backfield. He’s rushing the passer and stopping the run at a high level.

Bosa just looks a half second faster off of the line initially and is playing with notably more force in front of him. If he’s able to keep up this production with the development of Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack’s bounce-back season relative to last year, LA’s defensive front may be able to give some of the best offensive lines in the league some trouble.

Dud: RB Austin Ekeler

Since his return against the Cowboys in Week 6, Ekeler has yet to have a game where he averages more than 3.4 yards per carry. Against the Jets, he had one carry for 20 yards. The rest of his 13 opportunities went for 27 yards.

Uncharacteristically, Ekeler also had three drops on Monday. In his seven seasons with the Chargers, he had never had a game with more than two.

The offensive line situation hasn’t been optimal, but it’s clear at this point that the Ekeler of years past isn’t here right now. Whether it’s his previous ankle injury this season or just a lack of burst from hitting the running back wall, the running hasn’t been as precise or impactful.

Time will tell if Ekeler maintains his current usage or if the team will feel the need to bump up Joshua Kelley’s usage, but the clock is ticking.

Stud: S Alohi Gilman

Alohi Gilman received his second elite PFF grade of the season with a 90.8, leading the Chargers’ defense in teams’ weekly scores. Gilman forced a fumble, returned a fumble recovery and had a pass breakup. On pace to play the most coverage snaps of his career, Gilman has given up just seven completions.

He has a clear nose for the football in being around turnovers and lays hits hard. While Gilman’s presence in previous seasons had seemed more incidental to the Chargers’ success, he’s been the engine of the secondary when it has been at its’ most potent and aggressive this year.

In a contract year, Gilman is balling when it matters.

Dud: TE Gerald Everett

Coming back from a hip injury certainly isn’t easy, but Gerald Everett has largely had a side role in the Chargers’ offense this year. After six straight seasons of increasing receiving production from the vet, Everett is on pace for his lowest yardage total since 2020. Week 2 against the Titans was the only game in which he produced more than 30 receiving yards this season.

The lack of pass-catching productivity from the Bolts’ receiving room is particularly felt at a time when the team is missing Joshua Palmer and Mike Williams. Everett also fumbled despite the Chargers’ recovering the ball. He’s had two fumbles on the season after having zero last season.

Stud: WR Keenan Allen

The Vikings game will likely remain Keenan Allen’s best of the season from a production standpoint throughout the year, but there’s an argument for his game against the Jets being high up on a list of his best performances.

Eight receptions on 77 yards may not seem that impressive on the box score but consider the circumstances. Absolutely no one else on the Chargers’ offense was able to produce consistently on Monday night. Four of Allen’s eight catches came against the elite Jets’ secondary trio of Sauce Gardner, Michael Carter II, and D.J. Reed.

It was Allen’s second-highest PFF offensive grade of the season. The route running prowess, the big-time catches to extend drives when the Chargers had to have them, and the insanity of the spinning around near the sideline catch…it’s hard to believe it’s year 11 for Slayer.

Dud: The offensive line

One step forward last week, two big steps back this week. After the Chargers allowed just eight pressures on Justin Herbert last week, the offensive line allowed 22 against the Jets.

Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins combined to allow 15 pressures, 3 QB hits and a sack. The days weren’t much better for Will Clapp, Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer.

In fairness to the Chargers, the Jets’ defensive front is an absolute struggle to play with the amount of pressure they’re able to get on three and four-man rush looks. But it would’ve been nice to see some progression for the Chargers after the Bears game. Instead, the line looked just as overwhelmed as it did against Kansas City and Dallas.

From Slater’s ankle injury to the absence of Corey Linsley, the Chargers have a lot of confounding factors for why the offensive line performance has been poor. But they’re running out of time to figure it out.

Best photos from Chargers’ win over Jets in Week 9

Here are some of the best photos from MetLife Stadium on Monday.

The Chargers defeated the Jets in Week 9 by the score of 27-6.

To relive the game, here are some of the best photos from MetLife Stadium.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 9 win over Jets

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Jets.

In Week 9, the Chargers defeated the Jets, 27-6.

Along the way, there were some standout performers and others that were duds.

With that, here are the best and worst performers from Monday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (57) or defense (66).

Top 5 Offense

WR Keenan Allen — 84.6

QB Justin Herbert — 68.6

OL Will Clapp – 60.2

RB Joshua Kelley — 58.7

OT Trey Pipkins — 58.6

Top 5 Defense

S Alohi Gilman – 90.8

EDGE Joey Bosa – 83.6

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 82.9

S Derwin James — 82.3

DL Morgan Fox — 82.0

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Jalen Guyton — 52.1

TE Gerald Everett — 51.0

TE Donald Parham – 49.8

RB Austin Ekeler — 48.4

OL Zion Johnson — 42.8

Bottom 5 Defense

LB Kenneth Murray — 69.9

DT Austin Johnson — 61.6

CB Asante Samuel Jr. — 60.9

S Dean Marlowe — 59.3

CB Michael Davis — 56.6

Social media reacts to Chargers’ win over Jets

Here are the best social media reactions from the Chargers’ win over the Jets.

The Chargers picked up their second consecutive win, defeating the Jets on Monday night.

Here is how social media reacted to the game:

Everything to know about Chargers’ primetime victory over Jets

To recap the Chargers’ win over the Jets, here is everything you need to know.

The Chargers are leaving East Rutherford, NJ with a win after defeating the Jets on Monday night.

To recap Los Angeles’ 27-6 victory, here is everything to know.

 

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 27-6 win over Jets

Here is what stood out from the Chargers’ win over the Jets on Monday night.

There was a certain sense of dread hanging in the air for much of the Chargers’ Monday night performance. Despite an early 14-0 lead buoyed by a fierce defensive performance, the game never felt truly in control.

Maybe that’s just the trauma talking.

Los Angeles kept their eye on the prize on Monday, eventually closing out a 27-6 win against a Jets team that has plenty of their own questions to answer going forward. The Chargers did not allow a touchdown on Monday for the second time in the Brandon Staley era.

Here’s what to take away from the game.

Highlights: Chargers force back-to-back fumbles vs. Jets

The Chargers’ defense is dominating the Jets.

The Chargers’ defense is dominating the Jets, forcing two consecutive fumbles.

On the first, Garrett Wilson was met by Alohi Gilman, who punched the ball out. Derwin James made a sliding recovery out of bounds at the 35 to give LA their first takeaway of the game.

On the second one, New York faced a third and three from the Chargers 42-yard line. Zach Wilson dropped back to pass and hung in a rapidly collapsing pocket looking for options to convert a first down. Before he could find one, Joey Bosa swiped at Wilson’s right arm through his matchup, dislodging the ball.

It took a perfect bounce away from the pocket, leaving Bosa free to disengage and fall on the ball.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Jets in Week 9

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and New York.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 9 against the New York Jets on Monday, Nov. 6 at 6:15 p.m. PT.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

The Jets’ defense is no joke. They held the Giants to eight passing yards, and have been a nightmare to opposing quarterbacks. And it won’t likely be an easy task for Justin Herbert, either. But the same can’t be said about New York’s offense. I see the Chargers slowing Zach Wilson and finding a way to put enough points on the scoreboard to win the game in a low-scoring affair.

Chargers 20, Jets 17

Alex K:

Los Angeles needs a good performance from their defense on Monday night to stay tethered to the Jets, whose defensive unit will likely be able to stifle a Chargers offense missing Joshua Palmer. Luckily, New York’s offense with Zach Wilson is one of the most boom-or-bust units in football. Prevent the big plays – something LA has struggled to do in 2023 – and the Chargers should be able to eke out a win.

Chargers 20, Jets 17

Alex I:

Despite the Chargers’ win over Chicago last week, I’m still skeptical about this offense. LA’s run game seems to have completely tanked as they’re averaging 3.32 yards per carry in their last three games. Being unable to rely on the run game now is tough at a time when wide receivers Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer are out.

The Jets’ defense has all of the variables that the Chargers tend to struggle with. Their defensive front at the first level is pretty versatile and they’ve got a lockdown secondary. The trio of Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II is the best group in the league.

The Chargers are favored by 3.5 and I assume a lot of that is Justin Herbert vs. Zach Wilson factor. In a league driven by quarterbacks, it’s understandable. But the Jets’ defense has been a nightmare for opposing teams and it’s hard to trust the Chargers to string together drives consistently.

This is a winnable game for the Chargers and might be considered a must-win with the AFC playoff picture, but I think they come up short against a very well-coached Jets squad.

Jets 14, Chargers 13

5 keys to a Chargers win over the Jets

Here’s what the Chargers have to do to bring a win back to the West Coast.

The Chargers head to East Rutherford, NJ for a game against the Jets in primetime. With LA and New York just a game apart in the wild card standings, Monday Night Football has some big playoff implications for both sides.

The Chargers sit just one game out of a playoff spot behind the 4-3 Browns. New York is tied with Cleveland in record and is the first team on the outside looking in entering this game.

Let’s get into what the Chargers have to do to bring a win back to the West Coast.

Don’t let Zach Wilson get comfortable

Zach Wilson has done his job admirably this season. Both he and the Jets know that he’s not Aaron Rodgers. But he’s managed games effectively. And with how the Jets’ defense has played, it’s all he needs to do.

In 2022, Wilson had a turnover-worthy play percentage of 5.9% for the season. That figure is down significantly in 2023 at 2.6%. Wilson ranks 24th of 37 qualified starting quarterbacks in ADOT at 7.8.

If the Chargers are willing to give Garrett Wilson and other Jets’ targets free releases off the line, Zach Wilson is more than capable of taking advantage of the short-intermediate parts of the field. He knows he doesn’t have to necessarily play hero ball with New York’s defense.

I’d like to see the Chargers play up near the line of scrimmage with some press/man coverage looks as opposed to the two-man high, soft zone formations we’ve been seeing. Force Wilson to make tough throws into tight windows to beat you. He’s capable of taking the short stuff if Staley lets him.

Outside of the pass rush giving Wilson problems, it’s gonna be on the secondary to force the issue too.

A big Keenan Allen game

Mike Williams is already out for the season obviously. Joshua Palmer is out for this game as he continues to deal with his knee injury. The Chargers’ receiving group on Sunday looks like it’ll be Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Simi Fehoko, and Jalen Guyton if he is indeed activated off of PUP.

The Chargers probably don’t want to use Davis in many 11 personnel sets with his special teams role and Guyton is coming back from an extensive rehab process. I’d have to assume he’d play on a snap count. Johnston will need to contribute as he did against the Bears last week, but the bulk of the receiver production load once again rests on the shoulders of Allen.

Allen will likely rotate between the outside and the slot as he battles with both Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II. While most of it is Chargers’ offense-related as opposed to the star receiver having bad games, it is worth pointing out that Allen has only had 70+ yards in one of his last four contests.

If we get a Herbert-Allen game that rivals the first three weeks of the season, the Chargers will have a chance in this one. Of note: Allen sits just 70 yards away from 10.000 career receiving yards.

Go away from the run game if it’s not working

The Chargers have had a bad run game over the last three weeks. 3.32 yards per carry on 74 touches is just not going to get the job done. Removing an outlier, Joshua Kelley’s 49-yard touchdown run against the Chiefs, the number on the other 73 carries is 2.7 yards per attempt.

Of course, the Chargers should still try to establish the run with Austin Ekeler and company early. It would make the game a lot easier from an offensive standpoint if they were able to give the offense at least four yards per carry on good volume.

But the Chargers’ offense has slowed down in the second half partially because of the run game going dry. If they’re not getting any progress on the ground, they have to put the ball in Justin Herbert’s hands in a close game.

Try to get the run game going, but don’t be too attached if it flops. The Chargers have had sequences with three straight runs that resulted in 3 & out drives in each of the last two games’ second halves.

The pass rush taking advantage of the Jets’ offensive line

Getting Zach Wilson uncomfortable was mentioned earlier and the Chargers’ pass rush will be a big part of that. The Jets’ offensive line ranks 32nd on PFF’s weekly rankings. Amongst teams that played in Week 8, the Jets were dead last in pass-blocking efficiency.

The Jets will get right guard Joe Tippman back. He’s been a decent player for them but they’re still patching up a number of holes on the rest of the offensive line. Connor McGovern and Wes Schweitzer went on injured reserve following last week’s game against the Giants.

This has to be a big week from the pass rush. Joey Bosa is fully healthy with Khalil Mack on the other side. Tuli Tuipulotu is ready to fire in for some rushes next to Bosa as well.

Wilson tends not to perform well under pressure and isn’t immune to taking the extra sack that could knock the Jets out of field goal range or force some type of turnover. It’s on the Chargers to force the issue and this is about as juicy of a pass-rushing opportunity as they’re going to get all season.

More usage of Donald Parham outside of the red zone

Donald Parham had four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown in relief of Gerald Everett last week. While Everett is on track to return in this game after three full practices, I’d like to see the Chargers continue to use Parham more in the open field.

Prior to last week, most of what we saw with Parham was strictly red-zone opportunities in terms of receiving. Using his 6’8″ frame to weigh on a defense leverage-wise just seems like something they should be doing more. More two receiver sets are needed in between the 20-yard lines at the very least considering the weakened state of the wide receiver room.