Per Ryan Chichester of Audacy, WFAN radio personality Chris McMonigle ripped certain New York Jets defensive players for “making business decisions” and lacking effort during the first half of the club’s 37-20 loss at the Cleveland Browns this past Thursday.
On Tuesday, during the WFAN “Boomer and Gio” program, former Jets quarterback and former NFL Most Valuable Player Boomer Esiason explicitly called out cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
As Lou DiPietro of Audacy observed, “Sauce Gardner against the Browns, for one, was kind of embarrassing,” Esiason stated. “If you really observe, he was simply not participating in four or five plays, but I get that—nobody wants to be hurt before the offseason? Nobody, but that’s what occurs when participants decide they don’t want to participate.”
Although head coach Robert Saleh and his staff are thought to be safe for the Jets going into what is essentially a meaningless Week 18 matchup at the 4-12 New England Patriots, club owner Woody Johnson is thought to be considering his options if it appears that the 6-10 team has given up on Saleh and company at Gillette Stadium. Jets linebacker Quincy Williams stated on Monday that he and the other players in the locker room are committed to snapping the team’s 15-game losing run against New England on Sunday.
Regarding Gardner, Esiason continued, “Part of me says I don’t blame him; the last thing he wants to do is get hurt.” This is what you’re seeing right now, and on Sunday, you’ll see it again when the Patriots play. To put it mildly, it’s disappointing, but it’s a reality for coaches. Unless they have a goal in mind, players won’t take a chance.”
It will be interesting to see how Gardner and team handle these comments and whether Saleh is retained after a season that turned out to be underwhelming for a once-promised Super Bowl contender.
