The Green & White worked Davante Adams into the offense Sunday night, getting the ball to the All-Pro wideout 3 times for 30 yards in his Jets debut versus the Steelers.
The offense showed promise early with Adams contributing to the team's 15 points in the first half, but the unit sputtered in the second half, dropping a 37-15 decision to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.
"We didn't execute," Adams said. "We didn't capitalize on the opportunities or in the moments that we had to potentially put the ball in the end zone or finish a drive or get 3. We flat out didn't finish. That has been the underlying thing with this team this year. I am just getting here but I hope I can do something to change that."
Adams, traded to the Jets (2-5) last Tuesday from the Las Vegas Raiders for a conditional third-round draft pick, made his first catch midway through the first quarter on a curl route, which he took 9 -yard to set up a second-and-short.
Rodgers and Adams connected twice more in the first half, including an 11-yard rope in the second quarter that led to a Tyler Conklin touchdown and a 10-yard catch and run on third-and-long that came up just short of a first down.
The former Raiders and Packers receiver was targeted 9 times, tied for the team lead. Additionally, he drew the attention of talented Steelers second-year CB Joey Porter Jr. for portions of the game, which allowed WRs Garrett Wilson (5 receptions for 61 yards) and Allen Lazard (4 for 58) to get more opportunities against limited double-teams.
"You could see the great synergy between Aaron and Davante," HC Jeff Ulbrich said. "You could see the relationship that they have by being on same page. And at the same time, it's been a second since they played together so I imagine that that relationship and the production between those two is just going to go up."
Adams added: "We can continue to get on a better page, but I didn't think there was rust. It is just football, and it doesn't always work perfectly. We had a really good week of practice, and we are going to continue to go and have a good week of practice next week and see what we can do to turn this thing around."
Now in his 11th NFL season, Adams brings his years of experience and relationship with Rodgers to the Jets, and believes the team has what it takes to bounce back.
"We have got a lot of talent," Adams said. "The weapons that we have, I mean, I'm in the huddle today and multiple times I was just looking around and thinking it's kind of crazy. Knowing that you got those type of weapons and to come up short and to put up 15 points against the team that I mean, there is a lot more we can do for sure."
Trailing the Buffalo Bills by 3 games in the AFC East, the Jets have much work to do and 10 games left to do it. Adams believes it's all about the details.
"You don't get 20 opportunities to make it right in this league," Adams said. "Sometimes you just got to get out there and take the defense that's presented, figure out a way to make it work. And we didn't do that enough. We had no issues moving the ball. I felt like this was the ultimate, shot-ourselves-in-the-foot type of day."
