Minkah Fitzpatrick set the record straight on Thursday after a viral clip made it sound like the Jets were giving up. The veteran safety said he never blamed the team’s self-inflicted errors on the franchise itself. He clarified that he actually said the team was “beating itself,” a subtle but vital difference for a squad sitting at 2-6.
The confusion started after Sunday’s 38-33 loss to the Raiders, where the Jets dropped their third straight game. Fitzpatrick told reporters that the misquote bothered him more than the loss because it threatened to distract the locker room. He insisted everyone inside knew exactly what he meant about the team’s internal struggles.
Focus Shifts to Kansas City
The Jets prepare for a tough trip to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. They face a Chiefs team that has lost two straight games after starting the season with five wins in a row. “Our focus and objective now is to win and not focus on should’ve, would’ve, could’ve,” he said, per the New York Post.
The Jets’ most recent win came on Oct. 11 against the Browns. Fitzpatrick noted that the controversy impacted him personally because it took attention away from the work needed to salvage the season.
Offense Waits on Wilson
While the defense sorts out its mindset, the offense faces a bigger question with Garrett Wilson in concussion protocol. The star receiver did not practice again on Thursday, leaving the team unsure if he can play in Kansas City. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich admitted that Wilson is a unique player who cannot be replaced, but he stressed that the team is not afraid to adjust.
Reich pointed to recent performances by Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. as proof that others can step up if Wilson sits out. “He’s a unique player. But on the other hand, we’re not afraid,” Reich said, according to the New York Post. The offense will simply play to the strengths of whoever is healthy on Sunday.
David Bailey was a full participant in practice on Thursday after being limited the day before with a groin injury.
