New York Jets coach Robert Saleh has learned a key lesson from working with Aaron Rodgers: don’t mess with his cadence. After a penalty-ridden 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos, Saleh and his staff spent time reviewing the game, particularly the high number of pre-snap penalties, which included five false starts.
Despite speculation that altering Rodgers’ complex cadence could help address these issues, Saleh clarified that they will not change this critical aspect of Rodgers’ game. He hinted at this after the loss but retracted the idea in a press conference the following day, emphasizing that the cadence is integral to the team’s identity.
Rodgers’ cadence is one of his trademarks, often allowing him to draw defenses offside and create “free plays,” which has been a successful strategy throughout his career. The Jets, who had only committed one false start in their first three games, struggled against the Broncos with five false starts—three by the offensive line and two by running back Breece Hall.
In total, the team had 15 penalties, including seven pre-snap ones. Despite this, Rodgers downplayed the notion of changing his cadence, calling the game’s penalties an “outlier” and suggesting that the focus should be on player accountability rather than altering his cadence.
Penalties have been a recurring issue under Saleh’s coaching tenure. Since 2021, the Jets have ranked among the top four teams with the highest number of penalties. Saleh acknowledged that it’s the coaching staff’s responsibility to simplify the game plan and clear the players’ minds to avoid pre-snap mistakes.
He noted that adjustments might be needed in how assignments are handled to reduce the errors. However, Saleh remains confident in Rodgers’ cadence and the team’s overall operation, while focusing on improving communication and discipline within the team.
Another concern for the Jets was their pass protection, as the Broncos managed to hit Rodgers 14 times and sack him five times. Rodgers, recovering from Achilles surgery, was seen limping after a fourth-quarter sack but isn’t expected to appear on the injury report, according to Saleh.
Saleh described the hits as part of the “wear and tear” Rodgers faces, but he expressed concern over the number of hits regardless of the quarterback’s age, noting that the hits would be troubling even for a younger player.
Looking ahead, the Jets will face the Minnesota Vikings, who lead the league in sacks and employ a blitz-heavy defense. The Jets, currently 2-2, will need to improve their offensive line’s protection of Rodgers and cut down on penalties if they hope to succeed against the 4-0 Vikings. This game presents another significant test for Saleh’s squad as they attempt to bounce back from a frustrating performance against Denver.
