New York Jets coach Robert Saleh backtracked Monday after previously suggesting that quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ unique cadence was contributing to the team’s pre-snap penalties.
The Jets were flagged for five false starts during Sunday’s 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.
“We’ve got to figure it out, whether or not we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadence,” Saleh said after the game. “Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously, today it took a major step back.”
Rodgers, a four-time league MVP who is known for drawing “free plays” by barking signals that draw the opponent offsides, said he didn’t think his cadence was the problem.
“I don’t know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier games,” Rodgers said.
Adjusting his cadence is “one way to do it,” Rodgers said. “The other way is to hold them accountable.”
The Jets (2-2) had 13 accepted penalties for 90 yards against Denver, including seven pre-snap flags (five on offense and two on defense).
In a Monday videoconference with reporters, Saleh appeared to backtrack as he drew a distinction between “cadence” and “operation.”
“We’re always going to push the envelope with cadence. Always,” he said. “But with regards to operation, getting in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, the communication that’s being had, those are all things that we can continue to look at and clean up.
“But from a cadence standpoint, that’s part of what makes us who we are, and we’re going to continue to always push the envelope on that.”
Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and was sacked five times on Sunday.
–Field Level Media