The Jets combine Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers in the big – and possibly last available – save move this season

As another winnable game slipped away from his grasp, Aaron Rodgers sat pensively on the New York Jets bench Monday night, looking like he was contemplating life.

It seemed like he didn't like what he saw.

His Jets were on the verge of losing again – 23-20 to Buffalo – and falling to 2-4 on the season. They had already fired coach Robert Saleh. They had already changed play-callers. They had already talked about renewed effort and focus.

And yet little had changed.

The lights at MetLife Stadium were bright, but it felt like one of Rodgers' famous retreats in the dark; His face showed more regret than determination.

And so it should come as no surprise that the Jets had pulled the trigger on Tuesday morning by bringing in one of Rodgers' favorite wide receivers of all time, reportedly signing Devonte Adams from Las Vegas for a conditional third-round pick.

The move reunites the quarterback and pass catcher – they played together for eight seasons (2014-2021) in Green Bay. They combined for 622 receptions, 7,590 yards and 69 touchdowns in the regular season.

Those were the glory days. Big points and big wins. The Packers averaged 10 regular-season wins during that span and won six playoff games to qualify for the NFC Championship Game four times.

Adams traveled to Vegas in 2022 and nothing went as well as with the Packers. After 14 touchdowns in his first season, he has only had nine since. The Jets tried to trade for him last year, but the Raiders wouldn't budge. After just one touchdown in three games this year, Adams requested a trade.

Rodgers, on the other hand, moved to the Jets in 2023 and there was little more than injuries and disappointments. At age 41, there isn't much time for lost seasons or slow rebuilding periods. New York now got Rodgers to win.

You don't win.

Maybe a recoupling will change everything. The Jets sure hope so. They have pretty much no choice but to finally find a way to get pass rusher Haason Reddick back in the game. However, it's more likely that Reddick will be traded.

Team owner Woody Johnson declared this team the most talented in 25 years. He used this as justification for firing Saleh after a 2-3 start to the season. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett (an alleged Rodgers confidant) was removed from officiating.

But instead of lighting a fire of inspiration among the roster, the Jets looked like the same old, mediocre, self-beating team on Monday.

There was a missed touchdown. There were two field goal attempts that hit the upright and crossbar. There were 11 penalties for 110 yards. New York converted just four of 12 third-down attempts and went 1 for 4 in the red zone.

Not even a converted Hail Mary at the end of the first half could save them.

Rodgers seemed baffled that the game didn't go better.

“We have to get going,” Rodgers said Monday. “This was a unique opportunity. Some games you win in the NFL, others you give away. That was a gift.”

For Rodgers, it was indicative of this entire Jets experiment. It started with much fanfare and anticipation of a possible late-career championship push in the spirit of Peyton Manning in Denver and Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.

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Instead, New York expects a stretch this month with games against Pittsburgh (4-2) and later against Houston (5-1).

“It’s frustrating,” Rodgers said. “I’m here to win (these) games.”

The season is not over yet, but the trend is heading in that direction. Therefore, the franchise is pulling every stopgap measure it can at the start of the season.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is the interim coach and Todd Downing calls the plays. Now it's all about the players.

Adams gives Rodgers a familiar face and weapon and bolsters a receiving corps that already features Garrett Wilson. The offense wasn't bad on Monday – Rodgers threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns and Breece Hall ran for 113 yards and added 56 yards.

However, it still wasn't enough. And for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, The is not enough.

The third-round pick (which could become a second if it works out) is a significant but not daunting price for Adams. What other options were there for the Jets? Rodgers is by far their most successful quarterback in decades and that was – Is – an all-in season.

Might as well make the best of it while something can still be done.