After their disappointing 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the New York Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn made a sweeping declaration for players who struggled during the defeat.
“You will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games, if you’re going to cause issues like that, so we will get that addressed,” Glenn said.
Three days after that statement, Glenn has been true to his word.
As first reported by Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Jets are expected to release punt and kick returner Xavier Gipson. The former undrafted free agent fumbled a kickoff return early in the fourth quarter that Pittsburgh used for a touchdown two plays later.
The fumble was a backbreaker in the game. New York had been up two scores against the Steelers for most of the third quarter. Due to the fumble, which followed a Pittsburgh touchdown and set up another two plays later, that lead was erased in just under a minute of game time.
Gipson’s career with the Jets ends with frustration. Originally a standout from Stephen F. Austin, the return specialist quickly became a fan favorite when he returned a punt for a touchdown in overtime to defeat the Buffalo Bills to open the 2023 season.
Since then, though, he has had problems fielding punts and making wrong decisions on kickoff returns. Sunday’s fumble marked his 10th in 35 career games.
The latest blunder cost him his job.
New York can turn to several options in the punt and return game. Undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett is on the practice squad and recorded several solid returns during the preseason.
No official announcement has been made by the team, and they do not have to disclose who will eventually be the returner until gametime, but Gipson’s expected release is a warning to the rest of the locker room:
Perform, or get out.