This was the move that killed Jets fans’ souls over the last seven years
The Jets’ 23-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks was the nadir of a collapse of truly epic proportions.
Losing five in a row is a feat that not even the 2021 Jets of the 4-13 record and No. 4 slot in the draft managed to accomplish.
The Jets came out flat from the first scrimmage play, a 60-yard run by Seahawks rookie Ken Walker.
Mike White turned back into a pumpkin, ending the hype with a resounding statement of futility that didn’t look all that different from Zach Wilson‘s putrid performances.
However, there was one move made by Robert Saleh that spelled I quit like no other: punting on 4th-and-2 in the fourth quarter while down two touchdowns.
The specific scenario doesn’t even matter; those details tell you all you need to know.
Robert Saleh quite literally punted away the Jets’ season. He decided that it wasn’t worth fighting to the very end.
Here is the actual game situation.
—> NYJ (6) @ SEA (20) <—
NYJ has 4th & 2 at the NYJ 39Recommendation (STRONG): 👉 Go for it (+1.5 WP)
Actual play: 🏈🦵 B.Mann punts 47 yards to SEA 14, Center-T.Hennessy. D.Dallas to SEA 14 for no gain (A.Davis; J.Harde pic.twitter.com/iL6hX4Jug4— 4th down decision bot (@ben_bot_baldwin) January 1, 2023
Yes, there was no chance to win. Yes, the Jets’ offense put up a truly unimaginably awful performance that the chances of converting were slim to none.
But just punting? That move is reminiscent of Jets-Coaches-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, initials TB and AG.
This was the cherry on top of a game that will be etched into the Jets’ Wall of Shame along with the final game of 2015, the last few of 2008, and so many others in the franchise’s star-crossed history.
Saleh may have changed the culture of the team, but his actions spoke louder than words. That was the ultimate cowardly, quitting move.
This punt may not have been listed in the Surrender Index, but it was a waving of the white flag.
The Jets have now surrendered their season just as they surrendered this game.
