Jets Cut Promising 23-Year-Old After Multi-Week Benching

The New York Jets have made their first move following the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Gang Green announced on social media that they have released defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.

“Additionally, we signed WR Trenton Irwin to the practice squad and released RB Avery Williams from the practice squad,” the Jets posted on social media.

Taylor, 23, has been a healthy scratch for four of the first six games of the 2025 season.

Jets Never Got to See Taylor’s Full Potential

The former Miami product was considered a future first-round talent in college.

However, Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote in “The Beast” that Taylor had “uneven production and performance … struggled to find any consistency … disappeared for stretches … Taylor has the individual traits to be a disruptive presence against the run and rushing the passer. However, he struggles to use all his gifts in unison and is often a step behind as he reacts to plays instead of staying ahead. Overall, Taylor doesn’t lack for talent, but the raw physical tools aren’t enough and won’t deliver consistent on-field production until he develops a more disciplined approach. While there is untapped potential there, it will require a patient coaching staff and complete buy-in from the player for him to work his way into an NFL rotation.”

In his rookie campaign with the Jets in 2024, Taylor finished with 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. He only appeared in 28% of the defensive snaps, and there was a belief that more talent was beneath the surface.

Those flashes didn’t translate with the new regime, and Taylor struggled to get on the field.

Nothing Personal, Just a Numbers Game

Taylor is supremely talented, and this appeared to be his year to break out for the Jets.

One of the biggest positions of need for the green and white this offseason was defensive tackle. Despite that reality, the team ignored the position for the majority of the offseason.

That opened the door for Taylor to make some noise next to Quinnen Williams. Evidently, Taylor didn’t do enough to impress, and the front office made an aggressive move to fill the void ahead of the season.

Right before the start of the 2025 campaign, general manager Darren Mougey struck a pair of trades to add some brutus beefcake at defensive tackle. The team acquired Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

Those surprise moves took away two roster spots that were previously accounted for, and most importantly for Taylor, that took away key reps at defensive tackle.

In this new world, Taylor was buried on the depth chart and couldn’t get on the field.

Jets Still Have a Corresponding Roster Move to Make at Some Point

The green and white still have an open spot on the 53-man roster. Taylor’s release opens the door for someone else.

Gang Green announced a swap on the practice squad, but that is unrelated to the Taylor move.

The signing of Trenton Irwin adds some much-needed insurance in the wide receiver room for the Jets.

Jets editorial contributor Susanna Weir wrote in a press release, “Irwin (6-2, 204) originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2019. After being released by the team in August of that year, he was signed to the Bengals’ practice squad in October and spent the next 6 seasons in Cincinnati. Irwin appeared in 41 games, 16 of which were during the 2023 season, and he has recorded 46 receptions for 601 yards and 5 TDs over his career. He had a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad last season, and he spent this past summer with the Jacksonville Jaguars before he was released in August.”

Mike Tomlin Praises Aaron Rodgers: 'He's More Than Just a Player, He's a Leader'

After three games in the 2025 NFL season, Aaron Rodgers has solidified his place as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading the team to a 2-1 record. While the Steelers’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance, it has also faced its share of struggles. However, Head Coach Mike Tomlin remains impressed with Rodgers’ leadership and his impact on the team both on and off the field.

In his recent press conference, Tomlin was full of praise for the future Hall of Famer, noting that Rodgers has exceeded expectations not only with his performance but with his ability to elevate the entire team. "Rodgers is more than just a player for us. He brings passion, leadership, and a mentality that sets the tone for this team," Tomlin said. "He’s not only meeting the expectations on the field, but he’s also setting an example with his work ethic and professionalism. He's the kind of guy we want leading this team."

Rodgers has played a key role in the Steelers’ offense, although his performance has been a mix of highs and lows. In the season opener against the Jets, Rodgers showcased his elite skill set by throwing four touchdown passes, earning a dominant victory. However, in the following game against the Seahawks, Rodgers struggled with accuracy, completing only 54.6% of his passes for 203 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Despite the inconsistencies, Tomlin is confident in Rodgers' ability to bounce back. "He's had some tough moments, but the most important thing is that he's always focused on improvement," Tomlin explained. "Rodgers has the mentality to shake off the bad plays and learn from them. That’s the kind of leader we need."

Rodgers was instrumental in the Steelers’ 24-14 victory over the Patriots, throwing two touchdowns and one interception while completing 16 of 23 passes for 139 yards. His ability to manage the game and make crucial throws in critical moments has been key to the team's success so far.

Looking ahead, the Steelers will need Rodgers to continue to develop chemistry with his receivers and improve on his accuracy. With a critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on the horizon, Rodgers will need to build on his progress and help the offense perform at a higher level.

"I’m confident that Aaron will only get better as the season goes on," said Tomlin. "He’s a professional, and with his experience and leadership, we expect big things from him and this team." With Rodgers at the helm, the Steelers are poised for success, but Tomlin understands that it will take more than just strong individual performances to make a deep playoff run.

As the Steelers continue their journey through the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Rodgers and his ability to guide the team through the tough NFC matchups. His leadership and resilience will be tested, and the Steelers are counting on him to lead them toward a playoff berth.

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