The New York Jets are staring down a 2-5 record, and after giving up 38 points and 247 passing yards to the Raiders, their defense is now a major concern. All eyes are on rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who despite being a second-round pick, has seen notably little playing time as the losses pile up. With the team heading into a Week 9 matchup against the Chiefs, the question isn’t just about Ponds’ talent, it is about the urgency a struggling team needs to show.
Patience is a Virtue, But is it Smart?
Jets second-year coach Aaron Glenn is preaching patience when it comes to D’Angelo Ponds. When asked about the rookie’s limited snaps, Glenn said, “We can only play so many people. You see that across the league a number of hot picks… [Fernando] Mendoza hasn’t played at all.” He was quick to add, “We have some other good players on the team, he’s going to get his shot. He’s a damn good player, we all know that. Just be patient and give him a little time. He’s going to get a shot to play.”
Ponds has appeared in six games this season, but his opportunities have been fleeting. He has played double-digit snaps just three times. His most significant action came in Week 7 against the Dolphins, where he played 30 snaps, nearly half of the defensive plays at 46.2 percent. In that game, he recorded two assisted tackles, and Malik Willis threw two passes his way, completing one for five yards. Before that, in Week 4 against the Bears, Ponds played 18 snaps (19.4 percent) and made three tackles, one solo. The Week 6 game against the Patriots saw him play 11 snaps (16.2 percent), but he didn’t record a tackle and gave up two completions for 48 yards and a touchdown on three targets. It is not a huge sample size, but for a team desperate for answers, every snap matters.
Defense Under Fire, Changes on the Horizon?
The Jets’ defense has largely been a pass-stopping unit this year, boasting the No. 5-ranked passing defense and the 11th-best overall defense in the league. Yet, giving up 38 points and 247 passing yards to the Raiders is a glaring red flag, and it suggests a change might be needed. Coach Glenn acknowledged the ongoing evaluation process, stating, “Every week we always evaluate the roster. And we make the best decision as far as that is concerned and that’s ongoing. We always look at it from a coaching perspective on who gives us the best chance to win and we make those decisions as we go through the week.”
With the team trudging toward another potential losing season at 2-5, how much longer can they afford to be “patient” with a talented second-round pick? Ponds could be the spark they need, a fresh face in a struggling secondary. The clock is ticking for the Jets, and their Week 9 matchup with the Chiefs is looming. Will Ponds finally get the extended opportunity to show what he can do, or will the “patience” strategy continue to leave fans wondering what could be? We’ll have to wait and see, just like Glenn said.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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