A prominent New York Jets player has launched a fierce defence of his team after a leading ESPN personality branded the franchise a "football atrocity" and advised a top college prospect to steer clear.
ESPN Host's Scathing Assessment Goes Viral
The controversy erupted during Wednesday's broadcast of First Take, where host Stephen A. Smith delivered a blistering critique of the Jets' organisation. Discussing whether Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore should declare for the NFL Draft, Smith left no room for ambiguity.
"I'd go back to college before I played for the Jets," Smith stated. "They are a football atrocity. They are awful. I mean straight garbage." The 58-year-old commentator extended his criticism to head coach Aaron Glenn, questioning his tenure after a dismal season where the team finished with a woeful 3-14 record, landing them the second overall pick in April's draft.
Smith highlighted that the Jets' defence failed to record a single interception all season, a dubious first in NFL history. "I want the man to have a job," Smith said of Glenn, "just not as head coach for the New York Jets."
Jets Star Fires Back on Social Media
The segment quickly spread across social media, prompting a sharp response from Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Taking to the platform X, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year did not hold back.
"Damn, u gotta be a real sell out n above all a square to be on ESPN nowadays," Wilson wrote. "Used to love that show." His post directly called out Smith's credibility and represented a strong show of loyalty to his embattled team. Smith has not publicly responded to Wilson's retort.
A Growing Chorus of Draft Advice
Smith's comments followed similar counsel from respected draft analyst Todd McShay, who also suggested Moore's representatives should work to avoid the Jets. McShay speculated that Moore could earn comparable money by returning to Oregon for another season rather than risking his development with the struggling New York side.
"I promise you, not one single player in this draft wants to be a New York Jet," McShay claimed. The consensus view points to the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the first pick, which would likely send Moore to the Jets with the second selection unless a trade occurs.
The advice comes after Moore's stellar 2025 season, where he threw for 3,046 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff and cementing his status as a top-two prospect. The Jets, meanwhile, are left to confront a damaging narrative about their organisation as they seek to rebuild from a catastrophic season.
