Omar Cooper Jr. made his return count in a big way Sunday, and the Jets had to like what they saw even in a 26-19 loss to the rival New England Patriots.
Back after a high ankle sprain, Cooper looked like anything but a rookie easing back into action. The No. 30 pick hauled in six passes for 103 yards in only his second career game, highlighted by his first NFL touchdown: a 48-yard strike from Geno Smith that stood out as the game’s biggest play.
That touchdown helped turn Cooper into the day’s breakout name around the Jets, especially since the Patriots’ long closing drive nearly kept him from reaching the 100-yard mark. He still became the second Jets rookie to post a 100-yard game this season, joining tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who put up 105 yards against the Lions in Week 3.
Cooper’s workload also told the story. He was targeted seven times, one more than Garrett Wilson, and that 48-yard catch was the longest play of the game. For a player just back from a lengthy absence, he looked comfortable and in rhythm.
The Jets got production from another rookie, too. Edge rusher David Bailey, the Defensive Rookie of the Week, forced a fumble and added another quarterback hit. Sadiq, by comparison, had a quieter afternoon, finishing with a 12-yard catch on three targets.
The bigger question now is whether the Jets can keep leaning on Cooper. The early signs suggest they may have to. Adonai Mitchell is on injured reserve after finger surgery and won’t be back until at least November, and Glenn and Frank Reich still seem undecided about Isaiah Williams, who has drawn seven targets since his six-catch game in Week 2.
That leaves Wilson, Cooper and Sadiq as the most likely top three receiving options in the short term. But Wilson’s target total is much lower than expected for a No. 1 receiver, especially one who signed a $130 million extension just 15 months ago. The usage of tight ends in the passing game has also been uneven under Reich and Glenn.
Beyond that group, the depth chart gets thin fast. Tim Patrick, who turns 33 in November, profiles as a depth piece rather than someone who should anchor the passing game. After him, the Jets are looking at bottom-of-the-roster receivers and practice squad options who might be asked to contribute right away.
That leaves the team waiting to see whether Jamaal Pritchett or Sterling Shepard gets promoted before next Sunday’s home game against the winless Dolphins.
In Other News...
Jets Offense Has One Obvious Problem After Patriots Loss
The Jets offense spent another Sunday looking constrained in the 26-19 loss to New England, and the missing element was easy to spot. Without Adonai Mitchell stretching the field, the passing game has lacked the kind of vertical threat that can force defenses to back off, leaving offensive coordinator Frank Reich to work with a narrower menu of options than he probably wanted in Week 6.
Mitchells absence has now become a real part of the conversation around why the unit has been less effective lately, because his speed and downfield presence were supposed to open things up for everyone else. Until he gets back into the lineup, the Jets are left trying to manufacture explosive plays without the receiver who most naturally changes the geometry of the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Braelon Allen Just Put Jets Coaches Under A Harsh Spotlight
After the loss to the Patriots, Braelon Allen did not sound interested in softening the message around the Jets offense. The second-year running back said the group needs to stop playing against itself, a blunt assessment after a game in which he was one of the few bright spots. Allen finished with 104 total yards on 19 touches, including work both as a runner and a receiver, while rookie Omar Cooper Jr. posted his first 100-yard game.
For a team that has stumbled to a 2-4 start, comments like that only sharpen the attention on Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich. The Jets have spent much of the early season trying to find offensive rhythm and consistency, and Allens frustration underscored how uneven it still looks when the pressure ramps up. If the offense is already being called out from inside the locker room, the coaching staff is staring at a problem that goes well beyond one loss. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Could Not Afford Garrett Wilson's Quietest Role Yet
Garrett Wilson was on the field, but for much of Sunday night he was not much of a factor in the Jets offense. In a 26-19 loss to the Patriots, the wide receiver finished with four catches for 44 yards on six targets, a quiet showing for one of the teams most important playmakers.
What stood out even more was how little Wilson was involved early, when the game was still there to be won. Afterward, he addressed his limited role, a familiar frustration for a Jets offense that could not afford to leave one of its top weapons on the margins for long. [Read more 🡒]