It only took one game for Aaron Glenn's biggest Jets mistakes to get exposed
The New York Jets fell short in their Week 1 revenge quest against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while there was plenty to be encouraged about in Aaron Glenn's first game, two offseason decisions suddenly seem indefensible.
Brandon Stephens looked like Brandon Stephens. Xavier Gipson looked like Xavier Gipson.
The Jets made Stephens their prized free-agent addition this offseason, signing him to a three-year, $36 million contract despite his countless struggles in Baltimore. Meanwhile, Gipson, who was firmly outplayed this summer, somehow retained his starting punt return man job.
Both of those decisions proved to be the reasons the Jets lost this game. Stephens was burned for a touchdown and later flagged for a pass interference call that ultimately sealed the deal for Pittsburgh. Gipson fumbled twice, including one that set up a touchdown for the Steelers to take the lead.
Brandon Stephens and Xavier Gipson cost the Jets' the Week 1 game
The unfortunate reality is that both of these outcomes were easy to predict. Stephens has been the most targeted cornerback in the NFL over the last two seasons. His 806 coverage yards allowed in 2024 ranked second-worst among all cornerbacks.
Stephens has always struggled to get his head turned around to make a play on the ball, and that weakness showed again on Sunday. The former Ravens cornerback was often in position, but either got too grabby or simply couldn’t get a hand on the football.
As for Gipson, the Jets made the controversial decision to hand him the punt returner job this summer despite the fact that he was wholly outplayed by undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett as both a returner and receiver.
Once again, this outcome was predictable. Gipson led all returners in muffs and fumbles last season, proving to be the most mistake-prone returner in the NFL. The Jets' coaching staff swore up and down that Gipson's ball security issues were behind him, but his performance in Week 1 proves that isn't the case.
There's so much to be encouraged about coming out of Sunday's loss. Justin Fields looked excellent in Tanner Engstrand's offense. The Jets punched well above their weight class on offense and vastly exceeded expectations.
It was an encouraging start to the Aaron Glenn era, but moral victories don't get you anywhere. Two of Glenn's most controversial decisions proved to be his team's downfall.
Steelers’ Young O-line Pushed To New Heights With Willie Colon’s Training Advice
As the 2025 NFL regular season inches closer, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to prepare for what should be an exciting campaign of football in the Steel City. One group that will have loads on pressure put on it this season will be the Steelers' offensive line. Despite losing starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to free agency, Pittsburgh is returning four other starters up front. With expectations high for the black and gold, the offensive line is looking to do whatever it can to be best prepared for the 2025 season.
The Steelers have had some great offensive lineman over the throughout the franchise's history, including Willie Colon, who spent six seasons in Pittsburgh protecting Ben Roethlisberger. Colon recently spent some time with the Steelers' offensive line, and gave the young group some advice on how they can take that next step.
In a recent conversation with the media, Troy Fautanu told reporters that Colon suggested that the group run wind sprints between periods during camp, and the group has since taken Colon's advice and run with it.
"[Colon] came in and was talking to us about what they used to do back then to kind of get their legs underneath themselves," Fautanu said.
It is important for an offensive line to be in the best shape possible, especially when playing for the Steelers, and especially in a season like the one that is about to begin. The Steelers are destined to be a hard-nosed, run-first team in 2025, and they'll need all they can get from the big men up front.
Fautanu heads into 2025 looking to be the full-time starting right tackle. Pittsburgh drafted Fautanu 20th overall in 2024 out of the University of Washington, and he made his first career start during his rookie season in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, before suffering a dislocated knee cap and torn ligament that required season-ending surgery.
With Fautanu back and fully healthy for the upcoming season, the returning group of Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick have had the entire offseason to improve and build for a better performance in 2025. However, the starters don't always get all of the reps in practice.
Fautanu explained that during team periods, the starting offensive linemen only get three or four plays at a time, before getting taken out. Therefore, it might not be as easy for them to get into playing shape during training camp or practice. Fautanu says the players have taken it upon themselves to get in some extra sprints, and other Steelers linemen have helped lead the charge.
"Zach [Frazier] was obviously the one that kind of pushed it to go, him and Mason [McCormick], and everyone is just kind of following suit," Fautanu said.
Frazier and McCormick are coming off strong rookie seasons in 2024. Frazier started 15 games last season after being taken 51st overall out of nearby West Virginia University, and he is already in the conversation as one of the best centers in the league.
McCormick was taken 119th overall in last year's draft out of South Dakota State. McCormick wasn't supposed to start right away, but after a season-ending injury to James Daniels in Week 4, McCormick was sprung into action and never looked back, starting the final 14 games of the season.
Steelers' Young Offensive Line Will Have Tall Task In 2025
Frazier, McCormick, and Fautanu, and the rest of the Steelers offensive line are looking to take that extra step, and they'll have the tall task of protecting four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. At 41 years old, Rodgers is the oldest starting quarterback in the NFL, and doesn't have the mobility that he did in his days with the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers know that in order to get the best out of Rodgers, he has to stay protected.
