Jets Coach’s Strong Words Resurface After Xavier Gipson’s Reported Release
Despite only being finished with the first week of the NFL season, many fans are already discussing the biggest surprises and disappointments so far. This includes the New York Jets, who could be considered one of those surprises despite their Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After undergoing some big changes in the offseason, such as hiring Aaron Glenn as their head coach and acquiring Justin Fields to be their starting quarterback, the Jets sent a big message in Week 1 by scoring 32 points, which they did just twice last year. However, New York still lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who scored 34 points, and it seems like one specific player is taking the fall for it.
New York had a 26-24 lead over the Steelers early in the fourth quarter and was in a good position to add to their lead by getting the ball back on a kickoff. However, wide receiver/returner Xavier Gipson fumbled his kickoff return, ceding possession to Pittsburgh. The Steelers would score a touchdown two plays later and take the lead before ultimately winning the game.
Following Gipson's costly fumble, Brian Costello of the New York Post reported the Jets are expected to release the 24-year-old on Wednesday.
"The Jets are planning on releasing Xavier Gipson today, per source. Gipson had the costly fumble on Sunday and now the team is moving on," Costello wrote on X.
Following the news of Gipson's reported release, strong words from head coach Glenn resurfaced on social media.
Aaron Glenn Had Some Strong Words for Xavier Gipson on Sunday
While it is difficult to pin New York's loss on one play or one player, Gipson's costly fumble in the fourth quarter did not do him or the team any favors. After the game, Glenn spoke about the turnover, saying players "will not be on the field with this team if you’re gonna cause us to lose games."
“We can't have turnovers, we can't do it," Glenn said.
As the Jets look to bounce back from their tough Week 1 loss, they will be faced with a tall task in Week 2 when they host the Buffalo Bills, who swept them last season.
The season is still young, and there will be plenty of time for New York to make an impact in the AFC. However, until the Jets do that, their Week 1 loss will continue to sting, especially considering that they lost to Aaron Rodgers in his first game with the Steelers after his release from the Jets.
Chubb Named Texans’ X-Factor Amid RB Depth Concerns
The Houston Texans must lean on Nick Chubb for the early portion of the regular season, which is a daunting ask considering what the four-time Pro Bowler has been through physically. But Chubb has received some noteworthy endorsements in addition to making key comments.
Chubb, who turns 30 in December, is on a one-year, $2.5 million contract (with $38.9 million in career earnings), is supposed to be the Texans’ RB2.
But former NFL agent Joel Corry, now an analyst for CBS Sports, offered an encouraging take.
Texans RB Nick Chubb Tabbed as ‘Bounce-Back Candidate’
Corry selected Chubb among his list of 15 potential “bounceback candidates” entering the 2025 regular season, noting the former Cleveland Browns star was in the “conversation” for the “best” back in the NFL.
“Chubb came back from a devastating 2023 left knee injury with the Cleveland Browns in which he tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus seven weeks into the 2024 season,” Corry wrote on August 29. “He didn’t resemble the player who had been in the best NFL running back conversation prior to getting hurt. Chubb had 332 yards on 102 carries with three touchdowns in eight games for the Browns before a breaking his left foot. His 3.3 yards from carry were well below the 5.3 he had been averaging for his career.”
Being further removed from the injury certainly bodes well for Chubb. Moreover, Chubb believes his injury concerns are behind him, which is certainly good news for the Texans.
“I feel good,” Chubb told Texans beat reporters in June. “I would say that’s all behind me, and injuries happen. And with what I did, [it] takes about two years to really get back. And so, I’m over the hump. I’m back home. I was back home all offseason, training where I trained every year since I was in high school, and I was able to get a full year in of doing the things that I do best. So, now I’m feeling good as I have been in a long time.”
Nick Chubb Called Potential ‘X Factor’ for Texans
Optimism about Chubb’s potential resurgence has increased amid an impressive training camp and (limited) preseason showing. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak tabbed Chubb as the Texans’ “X factor” amid “too many” options.
Solak noted the offensive line, but added that even if they struggle again in pass protection, they can “win as run blockers.”
Solak also highlighted just how much the Texans leaned on C.J. Stroud and the passing game.
“The Texans need to be able to run opposing defenses out of two-high shells — star quarterback C.J. Stroud saw split safety defenses on 49.4% of his dropbacks last season, a big leap from the 42.8% he enjoyed as a rookie. And to that end, they need Chubb to rediscover something lost,” Solak wrote on August 28.
“The Texans, who were scrambling for RB depth after Joe Mixon’s ankle injury lingered long through the offseason and now into the regular season, took the long shot that Chubb could return to form now two calendar years removed from the major knee injury."
Joe Mixon’s Injury Looms Large For Nick Chubb, Texans
Chubb rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns in 302 carries in 2022. He has 502 yards and 3 touchdowns on 130 carries over the last two seasons.
The Texans need the 2022 version, or something closer to it than Chubb’s 2023 and 2024 self.
“If the Houston line is going to be hot and cold, he needs to make up the difference by maximizing the rushing lanes when he gets them and minimizing losses with elusiveness behind the line of scrimmage,” Solak wrote. “If he can’t, the Texans’ offense becomes one-dimensional.”
The concern for Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans may not be having to rely on Chubb, but more specifically, how long they must do so amid Mixon’s nebulous outlook.
Texans RBs Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks, and others must also help ease Chubb’s burden.
