While the New York Jets may be celebrating Austin McNamara’s arrival as a top punter in the league or Nick Folk’s resurgence at kicker, the team has a glaring special teams concern.
They can’t seem to find the right returner on kickoffs.
When the season began, Xavier Gipson had earned the top job. After he lost a critical fumble in the fourth quarter, he was cut just days later.
Following Gipson’s release, the Jets signed Isaiah Williams off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad. The hope was that Williams would stabilize New York’s return game for the rest of the year.
That has been far from the case.
After a disappointing showing in the team’s 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night that saw Williams fumble a kick return and down a punt inside the five-yard line, it seems those same return problems aren’t going away anytime soon.
The struggles left New York’s special teams coordinator, Chris Banjo, searching for answers.
Jets return concerns grow
Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Banjo announced that the team is still evaluating whether they will make any changes at the returner position.
While he didn’t commit to Williams continuing in the role going into Week 5, Banjo acknowledged that the mistakes the returner made were on the coaching staff, and specifically on him.
“We have got to drill better,” Banjo told X-Factor. “Our job as coaches is to make sure we put players in a position where we drill it constantly. It’s reflective and instinct to make sure we make good decisions, and we look forward to having that opportunity.”
Not every facet of New York’s special teams has faltered to start 2025. Veteran kicker Nick Folk drilled a career-long 58-yard field goal last week, while punter Austin McNamara has remained one of the league’s most reliable punters.
For Banjo, however, the pressing issue lies in the return game, where the Jets must find stability on both kickoffs and punts.
And that could mean turning to running back Isaiah Davis more than initially thought.
“I think Isaiah (Davis) has been doing a phenomenal job back there,” Banjo said. “His attention to detail. his urgency to get to the ball…I think he’s been doing a really good job.”
Davis may be a full-time returner, but the Jets still need to figure out what they do with Williams, and at punt returner specifically.
Based on Banjo’s comments, it’s clear that all options are on the table for New York.
