Weird Jets locker room featured Brandon Marshall saying the team is ‘in the perfect place’ at 1-4

The New York Jets are now 1-4 after a 31-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. And unlike previous games, turnovers weren’t a problem at all for the Jets.

Instead, the team was just flat outplayed by a Steelers team that looked and played better in just about every aspect of the game. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a Jets team that was agonizingly close to the postseason in 2015 with a 10-6 record thanks to one of the NFL’s best defenses.

The disappointing start for New York seems to be getting to the players, too, as reporters described a bizarre scene in the locker room after the game.

While wide receiver Brandon Marshall clapped his hands and told reporters the Jets are actually “in the perfect place” and he promised they’ll turn things around, defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson weren’t as upbeat.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini described the situation:

Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson -- both in sour moods -- bristled at reporters' questions. Richardson responded to the first few questions by saying, "Preparing for Arizona." He accused reporters of trying to bait him into criticizing teammates. One reporter fired back at Richardson and stormed out of the locker room, kicking over a chair.

SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano said Richardson finally told reporters that the reason he was answering every question with “preparing for Arizona” was “because y'all want me to fingerpoint.”

Eventually he started answering questions:

While the turnovers of Ryan Fitzpatrick have been in the spotlight for the Jets, the team’s surprisingly poor defense was finally a major plot line in Week 5. Ben Roethlisberger finished 34-of-47 passing with 380 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

In all five weeks the Jets have allowed the opposing quarterback to finish with a passer rating over 100 and the average so far is a rating of 118.6. A year ago, quarterbacks had a 79 passer rating against the Jets’ defense on the year.

Marshall is evidently confident that the Jets will right the ship beginning with a Week 6 road trip against the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Carson Palmer missed the team’s Thursday night victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he’s optimistic the veteran will return for Week 6 against the Jets.