Saleh – Jets and Aaron Rodgers “will set new standards with cadence”

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh has only been with Aaron Rodgers for a few games, but he’s already learned an important lesson about his quarterback: Don’t mess with his cadence.

Saleh, under fire after a sloppy penalty loss on Sunday, said his coaching staff spoke “at length” Monday morning about how they can eliminate the alarming number of pre-snap flags – five false starts in their 10-9 loss against the Denver Broncos.

According to Saleh, who suggested otherwise after the game, changing Rodgers’ polished cadence – one of the hallmarks of his game – is not among the possible solutions.

“We have to figure out if we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadences,” Saleh said Sunday after watching his offense go 13 possessions without a touchdown. “Cadence was not a problem throughout the camp. We felt like our business was doing pretty well. He obviously took a big step backwards today.”

On Monday, Saleh backpedaled when the issue was raised again in a video conference with reporters, saying there was a difference between “cadence” and “operation.”

“We will always push the limits with the cadence. Always,” he said. “But as far as operations, getting in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of attack, the communication that’s taking place, those are all things that we can continue to look at and clean up.”

“But as far as cadence goes, that’s part of what makes us who we are, and we’re going to continue to push the envelope with that.”

Throughout his career, Rodgers has demonstrated an uncanny ability to create “free plays” by drawing defenses offside. In fact, he has 18 career touchdown passes on such plays, including one in the season opener.

The Jets committed just one false start in the first three games, but were nervous against the Broncos – three false starts by the offensive line and two by running back Breece Hall. In total, the Jets were assessed 15 penalties, 13 of which were accepted for 90 yards. That included seven pre-snap penalties – five on offense and two on defense.

Apparently, Rodgers doesn’t think his cadence is a problem, saying after the game that five false starts was an “outlier.” I don’t know if we need to make mass changes due to some sort of outlier games. Adjusting his cadence is “one way to do that,” he said. “The other way is to hold them accountable.”

Penalties were an issue during Saleh’s time in office. Since 2021, the Jets have committed the fourth-highest number of penalties. Saleh, whose record is 20-35, said it was up to the coaching staff to “clear the players’ minds” to eliminate pre-snap penalties and suggested they may need to make simplifications in how duties are assigned.

Another issue was pass protection, as the Broncos recorded 14 quarterback hits and five sacks. Rodgers, returning from Achilles tendon surgery, limped late after a sack in the fourth quarter – trainers examined his left leg – but he is not expected to be listed on the injury report this week, Saleh said. The coach called it “just normal wear and tear from a little beating.”

Asked if it was disturbing to see his 40-year-old quarterback taking so many hits, Saleh said, “To be honest, it would make you sick if he was a 20-year-old quarterback.”

On Sunday, the Jets (2:2) will meet the lightning-strong Minnesota Vikings (4:0) in London. Before Monday night, the Vikings led the league with 17 sacks.