Same old Jets? No, they're concentrating on culture change first, wins later

After all the talk about changing the culture, all the changes to the coaching staff, systems and personnel, the Jets are one win better than they were at this point last season.

They’re at the bottom of just about every offensive statistical category in the NFL, and quarterback Zach Wilson will be donning a headset instead of a uniform for the next 2-4 weeks.

Mike White will get his first NFL start at quarterback Sunday for the Jets (1-5) against the Bengals (5-2). But reacquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco could be the starter before Wilson returns.

All of this sounds so much like two seasons ago under coach Adam Gase when the Jets had one win, Sam Darnold had a case of mononucleosis and Luke Falk started at quarterback for the first time in his career. (Spoiler alert: That didn’t go very well.) They started 1-7 in 2019.

It sounds so much like last fall when the Jets were winless, Darnold was sidelined with a shoulder injury and Flacco was leading the offense in his absence. They started 0-13 and finished 2-14.

The Jets brought back Flacco this week in a trade with the Eagles, which only adds to the appearance that the more things change with this team the more they stay the same.

Case in point: The 41-point loss last week to New England in which Wilson limped off the field in the first half. That was Bill Belichick’s 13th straight regular-season victory over the Jets, the last four with Tom Brady in Tampa.

The seismic shift in the fate of the Jets' franchise still seems to be a long way away. But first-year and first-time head coach Robert Saleh’s belief hasn’t wavered.

As he did in his introductory news conference in February, Saleh still is talking about leading the Jets — who have one win, singular — to championships, plural.

"I’m really just focused on trying to get these guys to play their absolute best so we can show the entire Jet nation why I truly believe we’re going to win championships," Saleh said. "I know it’s hard to see it right now. But I know the direction we’re going, and I know where it’s going to get."

Saleh and his coaches have preached it’s only the first year of the system and this young team needs time to come together. Many of the coaches came from San Francisco, where they started 0-9 in 2017, their first year together. Two seasons later, the 49ers reached the Super Bowl.

Jets owner Woody Johnson believes in Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. Johnson said on Tuesday that he has "unwavering, steadfast confidence" in them and that "we will get it right."

Receiver Corey Davis, signed this offseason, is confident as well.

"It’s not going to flip overnight," he said. "Saleh is always saying this is part of the foundation being laid. It’s going to be an uphill battle. It’s going to be ugly at times. But we got the right people to do so, to flip this thing. I truly believe that."

That’s the main difference between this season and last. Saleh is a far different coach, leader, motivator and communicator than Gase. Saleh breeds confidence and Wilson has a higher ceiling than Darnold.

But the Jets offense has been as bad, if not worse, than it was under Gase.

The Jets are last in total offense, scoring, rushing yards and first downs. But embattled first-time coordinator Mike LaFleur says it’s only a matter of time before things come together.

"When it gets going, I truly believe it will be a tough offense to stop," he said. "We know how to get this thing done, we’re just not getting it done right now and we need to continue to work to get that done."

The Jets are the only team that has not scored a point in the first quarter of any game this season.They also have never led in the first half.

Those streaks could extend Sunday.

In addition to Wilson, the Jets will be without Davis (hip injury). That should create more chances for rookie Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims with White running the offense.

White, a 2018 fifth-round pick by the Cowboys, made his NFL debut last week replacing Wilson. He was 20-for-32 passing for 202 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

"He’s ready to go," special offensive assistant Matt Cavanaugh said. "I feel confident that he’ll be prepared and do well."

Running back Ty Johnson said, "He’s a stud, man. Come on now. It’s Mike White."

Even so, this would be a good time for the Jets to establish a run game to try and keep Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and the explosive Cincinnati offense on the sideline. It’s a big ask as the Jets have not been successful at that this season.

The Jets, though, can look at the Bengals as a franchise to follow.

Cincinnati was 2-14 two seasons ago, drafted Burrow first overall last year and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase this year. They’re in the third year of coach Zac Taylor’s offense and one of the top scoring teams in the league. The defense also has improved and they come into this game tied for the AFC’s best record.

"They’ve grown together," Saleh said. "I feel like we’re right there. We’ve got a very young football team and we’ve got a lot of really cool pieces to work with and we got a mixture of veterans that we can grow with.

"They’re a pretty cool blueprint to look at, with regards to how to build an organization, how to build a roster and get it back on track to where you’re winning consistently."

That Saleh’s vision, but the Jets still have a long way to go.