Jets shocking inability to pressure quarterbacks continues to be nagging issue

Jermaine Johnson II did not mince words on Wednesday when asked to assess the Jets pass rush this season. “In my opinion, [crappy],” Johnson said.“I don’t think it’s the standard by any means.” Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.

There are plenty of problem areas to dissect in this 3-10 Jets season, but one of the most disappointing areas has been their pass rush or lack of one.The Jets have two first-round picks at edge rushers in Johnson and Will McDonald IV.

They began the year with Quinnen Williams, who had 12 sacks in 2022, at defensive tackle. Those three, along with a more blitz-happy defense under coach Aaron Glenn, were expected to give the Jets a fierce rush against opposing quarterbacks.Instead, it has been absent for most of the season. The Jets have 22 sacks, the fifth-fewest in the NFL.

Some people will argue that sacks are less important than pressures, but the Jets are bad there, too.They have 72 pressures, according to Pro Football Reference.

Only the 49ers and Panthers have fewer.The Jets are 23rd in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate statistic at 34 percent. “The pass rush, I feel like we can always improve in that area,” Glenn said.“I mean, obviously, [Johnson] is coming back from the Achilles, so he’s getting himself right back going.

That’s not an excuse, but that’s just reality.I think [McDonald] has been up and down for the most part and he knows that.

We need him to get going, he knows it.And any of our blitzes need to get home and there were a number of times we were one-on-one; we got to win those one-on-ones.

So I think during the season, you’ll see sometimes we’ll have six sacks, other times we won’t have any, so it’s been very inconsistent for the most part and everybody knows that.That’s an area that we got to get better at.”Glenn may feel they have been inconsistent but that is not really the case.

They have co...