Less than two weeks after labeling the New York Jets “Super Bowl contenders,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has drastically changed his tune, expressing that he is “no longer feeling” the team following their disheartening 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.
On Monday’s edition of “First Take,” Smith explained to former Jets head coach Rex Ryan and Shannon Sharpe why he is out on the team.
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“I was the one who was all-in on the Jets, and I am no longer feeling that,” Smith expressed. “I’m just not. When I see Buffalo, when I see Baltimore, when I see Kansas City still finding ways to win. I just look at the New York Jets and the immobility of Aaron Rodgers. He still has the touch. He still has the arm. But that leadership that you pointed to emanates from the head coach, what you can do to squeeze out games because of your brilliance and acumen. And your leadership capability. I don’t have the kind of faith in [Robert] Saleh the way that I do in a [Sean] McDermott. The way that I do in a [John] Harbaugh. The way that I do in an Andy Reid.”
"I am no longer feeling [the Jets]." @stephenasmith said he doesn't have the same faith in Robert Saleh and the Jets 👀 pic.twitter.com/lGstIlOgbz
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 30, 2024
Smith had a completely different stance on the team less than two weeks ago following the team’s 24-3 blowout victory over the division rival New England Patriots during Week 3.
“I’m going to tell you right now Aaron Rodgers is a bad man,” Smith told his surprised co-hosts. “And the man showed up last night. So that’s where the question really, really evolved. If he looks like that, what does it do for the New York Jets? And I think it makes them a Super Bowl contender.”
.@stephenasmith can see the Jets as Super Bowl contenders if Aaron Rodgers keeps playing like he did Thursday 👀
"There's a lot of question marks in the AFC and if anybody is qualified to exploit those question marks, it's Aaron Rodgers." pic.twitter.com/XuxH9d0xF6
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 20, 2024
Rodgers and the Jets aim to silence Stephen A. Smith and the rest of their critics this Sunday as they head to London to face former first-round pick Sam Darnold and the 4-0 Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
