The Jets' coaching problems go beyond Aaron Glenn. OC Frank Reich needs to get Garrett Wilson the ball more.
Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets have a coaching problem.
It’s not just head coach Aaron Glenn, whose failings have been well-documented. But in case you need reminding, the Jets’ 28-25 loss to previously winless Miami on Sunday brought his overall record to 5-19 in two seasons as Jets coach and 0-8 in the division.
The offensive coaches, starting with coordinator Frank Reich, continue to provide plenty of material that makes you scratch your head or throw your remote at the TV.
Garrett Wilson was targeted only three times on Sunday, and officially not until the third quarter. His one first-half target and catch were negated by a Miami penalty. But this was puzzling, especially after so much was made over Wilson getting only six targets in last week’s loss to New England. Everyone expected there to be more on Sunday, not to see it cut in half.
“I’m going to put it on me," Glenn said. “I got to do everything I can to make sure I’m in Frank’s ear to make sure we get him the ball.”
Glenn deserves blame for plenty, but not this.
This is on Reich and passing game coordinator Seth Ryan, first and foremost, and quarterback Geno Smith to a lesser extent.
If Smith sees coverages that favor Wilson, he has to change the play at the line of scrimmage. The problem, though, is the coaches are not scheming up ways to get Wilson the ball or calling enough plays for him.
“I’m trying. We're trying to get it to him as early and as often as we can,” Reich said on Thursday.
Smith threw his only interception on Sunday when the Jets (2-5) were in a multiple tight end set. Wilson wasn’t even on the field on that play.
Three targets match the fewest Wilson has gotten in a game in his career. The other two times, his quarterbacks were Zach Wilson and Justin Fields.
Wilson was asked what he thinks when he looks at the boxscore and sees only three targets. He answered, “I probably won't even look.”
Who could blame him?
Wilson’s frustration boiled over during Sunday’s game. The CBS broadcast showed a heated exchange on the sideline. An animated Wilson was speaking while Smith was conferring with quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and Ryan.
Everyone presumed that Wilson was giving it to Smith, who never reacted. They both said it wasn’t directed at Smith.
After the game, Wilson and Smith had a private conversation as they walked through the locker room. That discussion was “resolution-based,” according to Wilson.
“Just trying to figure out how we can fix where we're at right now,” he said. “Wanting to get it in our hands and make a difference and try and win these games that we feel like we're the better team, and we're not. We ain't been able to come out on top of these games.
“At the end of the day, I know how I feel about it. I want it in my hands to try and make an impact. That's all we were talking about. Just putting it in our hands and how we can make that happen, being aggressive throughout, and keeping ourselves out of those situations so we can win these games.”
Glenn should not have to be in Reich's ear reminding him to get Wilson the ball. This is a major problem.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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