We’re at the point of the season where the New York Jets’ win-loss results matter less than the long-term implications of how certain individual players are performing. And in that regard, Sunday’s outing was a tremendous one for New York despite the 26-21 loss.
The Jets’ defeat largely fell on the shoulders of then-40-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who crossed the bridge to 41 today. In the loss, Rodgers totaled -16.3 total EPA (Expected Points Added), the worst mark of any quarterback in Week 13 thus far.
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That’s a good thing for New York’s long-term outlook. Rodgers likely won’t be back next year; it’s already been labeled a “long shot” by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and it is only becoming increasingly unlikely as his performance continues dwindling. So, if the Jets lose because of him, it has no impact on their hopes of returning to contention in 2025 and beyond.
Rodgers sunk the Jets on Sunday, but they still nearly won the game thanks to dominant performances from two of their most important long-term players: Olu Fashanu and Will McDonald. If you are a pro-tank Jets fan, it was a perfect formula.
Against Seattle, Fashanu and McDonald were arguably the Jets’ best players on each side of the ball. The pair’s electric outing continues a run of success for both first-round picks, who are rapidly establishing themselves as reliable long-term building blocks for the organization.
Olu Fashanu vs. Seahawks
Going into Sunday, I labeled Fashanu as the “new star of the Jets’ show” over New York’s final six games. And, boy, did he live up to that billing.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Fashanu allowed zero pressures on 44 pass-blocking snaps against the Seahawks.
The film backed up the numbers. Fashanu looked incredible protecting Rodgers’ blind side. Whether it was a true one-on-one, passing off a stunt, or working a double-team, Fashanu looked like a brick wall out there.
Multiple aspects of Fashanu’s performance jumped out to me. Firstly, he had quick, aggressive hands. Fashanu frequently made first contact on his man to take early control of the battle. I also liked the accuracy of his punches; he kept his hands tight and consistently landed them in the defender’s chest, ensuring he could affirm a strong grip.
Fashanu’s awareness also stood out. He did a great job of handling stunts and diagnosing pressure schemes.
Finally, Fashanu’s foot quickness jumped off the page. This is the trait that gives him a high ceiling in the NFL. In many situations, Fashanu found himself one-on-one in open space with little to no traffic in the area, which meant the defender had ample room to rush whichever way he wanted. When this happened, defenders would often try to disengage from their initial rush and use the open space to sprint around Fashanu, but he would slide his feet and stay with his man over a great deal of distance.
Here is a reel of Fashanu’s most notable reps from the game, displaying all of the traits I just discussed.
After a rough start to his rookie year at two unfamiliar positions, Fashanu has now played about 2.5 games at his natural left tackle position. He’s looked tremendous since coming back home.
It’s a small sample, but Fashanu’s production at left tackle is staggering. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Fashanu has yielded just five pressures on 101 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle, a pressure rate of 4.95%. That ranks second-lowest among players with at least 100 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle this season.
Lowest pressure rate allowed when aligned at LT in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats (min. 100 pass-blocking snaps at LT):
- Tristan Wirfs, 4.15% (17 pressures on 410 pass-blocking snaps)
- Olu Fashanu, 4.95% (5 on 101)
- Garett Bolles, 5.02% (22 on 438)
- Terron Armstead, 5.22% (19 on 364)
- Dawand Jones, 6.09% (7 on 115)
He needs to keep it going for more than just 2.5 games, but with company like that, Fashanu is trending in the right direction.
Will McDonald vs. Seahawks
Will McDonald was extremely active as a pass rusher against Seattle. Not only did he have two sacks, but he added two QB hits and one hurry, bringing him to five total pressures on the day. Coming on 26 pass-rush snaps, that gives him a fantastic pressure rate of 19.3%.
McDonald’s two sacks were of the highest quality. They were quick, clean wins in one-on-one situations. Impressively, McDonald pulled them off in two completely different ways.
One of the sacks was a simple speed rush around the corner, using his signature explosiveness and bend. The other featured McDonald winning with power. He set up the threat of a speed rush and followed it with a bull rush, catching the tackle out of position while he was expecting speed. It is also notable that McDonald had one sack on each side of the line. He is becoming a well-rounded rusher who can win in many different ways, growing far beyond the one-trick pony he was once labeled as.
McDonald has reached 10 sacks on the season, tying him for third in the NFL. He is the first second-year Jets player to hit 10 sacks since John Abraham in 2001. McDonald and Abraham are also the only second-year players in Jets history to reach 10 sacks by the team’s 12th game of the season.
Sacks are awesome, but the hallmark of a great pass rusher is being able to affect the game even without getting sacks. It is extremely promising to see McDonald doing just that. According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald has 45 total pressures this season, tying him for 10th in the NFL among edge rushers.
The main purpose of the Jets’ post-bye stretch is to provide the new regime with information about the pieces they will inherit. If Fashanu and McDonald continue building on their improved play, the Jets’ incoming leadership will feel comfortable treating them as two of the franchise’s core building blocks in the trenches.
