We’re two days away from the New York Jets’ trip to Cincinnati to battle the Bengals. While Gang Green still has no answer regarding who will be their starting quarterback, they have plenty of other issues to solve as well.
Injuries to key players on both sides of the ball, a struggling offense trying to find its footing, and a matchup against a top-flight Bengals receiver unit have the Jets as 6.5-point underdogs on Sunday.
Plenty of those concerns were addressed before and after practice on Thursday. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the day of work in Florham Park.
Breece Hall usage concerns
Once upon a time, New York’s top running back was considered one of the best all-purpose players at his position. He’s always been great when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield.
The 2025 season has been an inconsistent ride for the former second-round pick, though. Hall has just 19 receptions for 164 yards and zero touchdowns. While those numbers are third-best on the team, they pale in comparison to his normal averages. At this point last season, Hall had 32 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown.
WEEK 8 JETS FILM BREAKDOWN: Is OC Tanner Engstrand a problem?Hall’s inactivity as a receiver has left offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand searching for answers, while understanding some of the bigger issues plaguing the offense through the regular season.
“I think we have to pick our spots with that,” Engstrand said of Hall’s receiving numbers. “When you play a team like Denver, who’s the number one sack team in the league for two years in a row, and they’ve got these werewolves on the edge, protection is first and foremost in the pass game.
“I don’t think it’s been a lack of want to, if that makes sense to you. I think it’s just been a matter of what we feel is maybe best for the protection plan that week.”
Engstrand’s answer is a lot better than previous Jets offensive play-callers who never seemed to understand Hall’s skillset. Still, with Garrett Wilson’s status in question, Hall’s importance to the passing game is even more essential.
Misconception about Will McDonald
Where has Will McDonald been the last few weeks? After a stellar start to the season, the former first-round pick has not recorded a sack. He has just two quarterback hits as well.
The lack of sacks doesn’t mean the Iowa State product is having a down year. Speaking to reporters before practice, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks clarified that McDonald hasn’t been the disappointment that many see him as in 2025.
“He’s had a lot of quiet success,” Wilks said. “When I put on the tape, I see him pressuring the quarterback.”
It’s not just McDonald who needs to step up, though. New York currently sits 29th in the league in sacks (10). That number drastically needs to improve. It’s something fellow edge rusher Jermaine Johnson understands quite well.
“We’ve got to get sacks,” Johnson said. “The best in the business do it. I think if you’re kind of any competitor, then that is who you want to be. We’re doing a decent job setting the pressures, but you don’t want to live in that world. We’re definitely looking to affect the quarterback more in that sense.”
McDonald has the ability to transform a pass rush. The Jets need him to step up in a big way moving forward.
Injuries
Of note, Garrett Wilson was not seen at practice on Thursday. While Glenn said the receiver was day-to-day, missing two practices right before a team’s final game ahead of the bye week indicates that Wilson will be out for Sunday.
Things can certainly change, but that’s where this seems to be heading.
Mason Taylor (quad) was also out of practice, along with returner Kene Nwangwu (concussion) and cornerback Sauce Gardner (concussion).
Tyrod Taylor addresses QB room
New York has yet to announce who will start at quarterback in Week 8. Head coach Aaron Glenn stated that he’s made a decision, but he’s declining to reveal it for the sake of maintaining a competitive advantage.
Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor have been rotating over the last few days. While Fields spoke on Wednesday, Thursday was the time for Taylor.
At 36 years old, Taylor is just happy to get an opportunity to potentially start once again for an NFL team. He wouldn’t give an answer on the role he expects to play on Sunday, but he insisted that he will be ready.
“My sole focus is being available and ready to be able to lead this team when called upon,” Taylor said.
Taylor provides the Jets with a better chance for offensive production than Fields. While that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be named the starter on Sunday when they take on the Bengals, it feels all but certain after Woody Johnson’s comments.
