The New York Jets have never been strangers to outside criticism, but the latest wave of commentary hit harder than usual. Following a disappointing mid-season slide and a series of offensive struggles, several national analysts declared that the Jets had officially become a “washed-up team”—a franchise that missed its window and no longer inspires fear across the league. Quarterback Justin Fields, however, isn’t letting that narrative go unchallenged.
Fields, who joined the Jets amid enormous expectations and scrutiny, responded to the remarks with sharp clarity after Friday’s practice. Far from rattled, he appeared motivated—almost energized—by the doubters.
“I’ve heard all the talk,” Fields said. “People love to call a team washed when things don’t look perfect for a few weeks. But if you walk into this locker room, if you see the work these guys put in every day, you wouldn’t say that. Not even close.”
The Jets have battled injuries, inconsistency, and relentless pressure from a fan base craving stability and success. The offensive line has been shuffled multiple times, veteran playmakers have missed time, and the defense—once the team’s backbone—hasn’t looked quite as dominant. But none of that, Fields insists, means the Jets’ window is closed.
“Every team goes through adversity,” he said. “The great ones respond, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re not a finished product. We’re a team still building, still fighting, still improving. Calling us washed? That’s lazy analysis.”
Fields also took aim at the narrative that the Jets lack long-term direction, citing the team’s youthful core and the strong chemistry forming behind the scenes.
“We’ve got leaders, we’ve got young talent, and we’ve got a coaching staff that believes in us,” he said. “People outside don’t see the progress. They just react to the scoreboard. But inside this building, we see growth every day.”
Teammates echoed Fields’ confidence, noting that his competitiveness has elevated the team’s energy even during difficult stretches. Coaches praised his poise and leadership, describing him as a stabilizing presence in a volatile season.
Fields closed with a message that seemed directed not only at critics, but at anyone doubting his own future in New York.
“We’re not done,” he said. “Not this team, not this season, not this organization. If people want to label us washed-up, let them. It just gives us more to prove—and we will.”
In a season defined by skepticism, Fields’ defiance may be exactly the spark the Jets need.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a rough stretch after the 2025 season started out so great. They began the year with a record of 4-1, but now the group is 5-4 after going 1-3 in their last four games. The franchise’s lead in the AFC North has dwindled down to just one game, and it is hard to imagine the Steelers are going to be able to hang onto the lead in the division with the Baltimore Ravens surging and the Cincinnati Bengals still within reach while Joe Burrow returns to practice. Tensions are clearly rising in Pittsburgh, but the group is going to have to manage that in order to get back in the win column.
There was obvious frustration on the field during Pittsburgh’s most recent game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. The offense had just three points throughout most of the game, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers let his emotions be seen as there were multiple shots of him being disappointed with himself, or of him getting frustrated with teammates.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo spoke about this on Thursday during an episode of Good Morning Football, and he shared that things might not be on solid ground in Pittsburgh at the moment.
“Something’s bothering me with the Steelers right now,” Garafolo said. “Aaron Rodgers’ reactions to his own teammates, to maybe himself, I don’t know. There’s been a lot of this. I don’t love it, right? He strongly hinted that this could be his last NFL season. He hasn’t really closed the door or solidified that. I’m not gonna pretend like I know what’s going on in his head, but this leads me to believe the whole thing’s just not on solid ground right now.”
Everyone always overreacts whenever Rodgers acts in certain ways because the media has always attempted to paint him to be the villain, especially during the latter parts of his career with the New York Jets. He has been a great teammate and leader with the Steelers, but Garafolo pointed out that the veteran’s reactions on Sunday night were notable, and not in a good way.
The national media jumps at every opportunity to paint Rodgers in a bad light it seems. It is not the best look in the world to be yelling at teammates on the field and whatnot, but that is what comes with playing football, especially quarterback. He is a 41-year old who won the league’s MVP Award four times. It’s hard to imagine his younger teammates take too much offense when he criticizes their play or voices his displeasure with a miscommunication.
Rodgers has earned the right to act the way he does on the field, but it probably doesn’t come off as well during games when he is struggling. That was the case on Sunday night as the quarterback missed plenty of throws, which could be a reason things might be shaky in the locker room.
Garafolo also spoke about whether or not Rodgers would be retiring in 2026 or returning to play. He is only on a one-year deal with Pittsburgh, so he would technically be a free agent again during the offseason. However, if he decided to play again, hopefully he would want to return to Pittsburgh. Garafolo spoke as if that pending decision was also causing issues, but that wouldn’t make any sense as the entire organization and the entire roster knew that the 2025 season could probably be Rodgers’ last.
Pittsburgh will look to get back in the win column against a poor defense on Sunday as the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.