As I wrote for Fox Sports New Jersey!
The New York Jets and Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur have parted ways. After an inconsistent 2022 season, highlighted by Gang Green's inability to develop quarterback Zach Wilson, LaFleur will not return in 2023.
According to multiple reports several teams had reached about LaFleur's availability leading to New York to agree to allow the embattled offensive coordinator to pursue other opportunities elsewhere. The Jets had initially played to bring LaFleur back.
LaFleur's departure was really no surprise, not after the Jets failed to score a single touchdown in their final three games of the year. Under his stewardship, the Jets offense was one of the worst in the NFL, ranked 29th in scoring this season, and 25th in total offense. Changes had to made.
Moreover, the underdevelopment of Zach Wilson was a problem. Wilson's struggles to master the offense, combined with the young signal callers pour mechanics, and -- what many claimed -- a lack of accountability, resulted in his benching -- twice -- this season.
Not all was bad under LaFleur. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson developed into two of the Jets most important game breakers on offense. Hall rushed for 463 yards before a knee injury ended his season in Denver.
As for Garrett Wilson, he broke the Jets rookie record for receiving yards, and is in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
When Robert Saleh brought in LaFleur, whom he has known for well over 20 years, the hope was he would learn under the guidance of Greg Knapp, but Knapp tragically passed away in a freak accident in the summer of 2021.
The Jets will likely look for a veteran offensive mind who can cure the Jets ills; perhaps get Zach Wilson on track, or work with another veteran quarterback to get the Jets offense moving in the right direction in 2023.
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