Content available exclusively for subscribers
This has to improve.
Nobody talks about it.
But it has to improve.
Talking about the Jets’ linebacker pass coverage.
Hat-tip to Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood for coming into the league as a fifth-round pick four years ago, playing above his draft level, and earning a three-year deal for $45 million in March.
Sherwood was a tackling machine for Gang Green last year, leading the club with 158 stops.
However, last year he had just three PDs and no interceptions. The no-interceptions part isn’t that big a deal. LBs generally don’t amass a lot of picks, but it’s more 3 PDs in 17 games that’s a slight concern.
For a former college safety at Auburn, who the Jets moved to linebacker, you would expect a little more in coverage.
Same with Quincy Williams, one of the NFL’s fastest linebackers. He had 4 PDs and no picks.
The Jets could use a tad more from each player in coverage.
Sherwood is certainly a feel-good story – getting off the a rough start in his career suffering a torn Achilles tendon during his rookie year after being forced into action before he was ready, it took him a couple of seasons to bounce back from that, and he certainly did, having a breakout season last year.
But the pass defense must get better.
There were too many occasions where opposing passers picked apart the Jets’ defense, finding big holes in their zone. It seemed like the depth of the drops, or the art of defenders passing off players from one to another, was a little amiss.
That Arizona game was one of the worst defensive displays I’ve ever seen, with Kyler Murray looking like Patrick Mahomes in that contest. The Cardinals’ QB wasn’t nearly as good in any game before or after that last season.
Not blaming the linebackers for that defensive debacle, they had plenty of company, but they do deserve some blame.
Same with the Jets’ loss to Indianapolis. Like Murray, Colts QB Anthony Richardson wasn’t nearly as good in any game before or after that last season.
How about New England Patriots backup QB Jacoby Brissett leading his team to a long game-winning drive against Gang Green in Foxboro last year after Aaron Rodgers had given the Jets a late lead?
Jets linebacker coach Aaron Curry, who played linebacker in the NFL, was a key hire for Gang Green.
Jets linebackers have some things to work on, especially in coverage, and Curry will give them the tough coaching they need.
And if the Jets linebackers don’t start making more plays on the ball in coverage, maybe it’s time to get some other players in the mix. Maybe Zaire Barnes, who has flashed in coverage the last two camps in pass defense, can help. He was on IR last year. Maybe Jackson Sirmon, who spent last year on the Jets’ practice squad, could help.
But perhaps with Curry’s coaching, Sherwood and Williams will take their pass defense to the next level.
Hearing good things about Curry as a coach.
May 20, 2025
Premium will return by 9:30 pm (or sooner) on Wednesday.
