Why Jets defense cant get sacks despite lofty preseason expectations

The Jets were expected to have a strong pass rush this year, but that has not materialized. After investing the No.2 overall pick in David Bailey, plus signing Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare as edge rushers to join 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald, it felt like the Jets would be able to count on getting to the quarterback.  Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.

Instead, the Jets have nine sacks, which is 14th in the NFL.They have 26 pressures, which is 17th.

Bailey, Enagbare and linebacker Demario Davis are tied for the team lead with two sacks apiece.On Sunday, the Jets got to Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent for just one sack — from a blitzing Davis — and only had two quarterback hits. “I think it’s more or less affecting the pocket,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said about what the Jets need to do better.

“When you affect the pocket, the sacks usually come with that.As a play caller, I have to do a better job of getting our guys to understand we have to just affect the pocket.

If we do that, the sacks will come.That’s something that, I know we have the guys that can do it and we’ll continue to work on that, and we’ll get better at it.” While the focus is on Bailey and McDonald failing to get to the quarterback, the bigger issue may be a lack of an interior rush.

The Jets miss Quinnen Williams, who used to push the pocket and create sacks for teammates even if he did not get them himself. Glenn was asked specifically about Bailey and McDonald and said they need help. “The thing is it’s not just those guys that have to be a part of affecting the pocket and when you look at it those guys are getting chipped quite a bit,” Glenn said.“I mean, we know exactly, and everybody knows exactly how they can impact the game when they get one-on-one blocks, so we have to do a better job of when we do get chipped of understanding how we can create a natural g...