Minkah Fitzpatrick Responds to Backlash over 'Jets Being Jets' Comment After Loss to Raiders

New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick spoke about the controversy that arose from his "Jets being Jets" comment following Sunday's 38-33 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Fitzpatrick explained there was no issue within the Jets' locker room because his teammates knew what he was trying to communicate:

"It hasn't really caused any stir within this locker room. I think that's the most important thing. Everybody within this locker room knew what I was talking about. If you look at the context of what I said, if you look at what I've been saying all season, we've been addressing 'Jets not beating Jets' or 'Jets beating Jets.' Everybody within this locker room knew exactly what I said, what I was trying to communicate. ""It hasn't really caused any stir within this locker room. I think that's the most important thing. Everybody within this locker room knew what I was talking about. If you look at the context of what I said, if you look at what I've been saying all season, we've been addressing 'Jets not beating Jets' or 'Jets beating Jets.' Everybody within this locker room knew exactly what I said, what I was trying to communicate."

In the aftermath of the Jets' loss, Fitzpatrick was discussing what went wrong for the defense when he made the comment.

Fitzpatrick has said he was misquoted and his actual comment was "Jets beating Jets" in reference to their miscues and penalties costing them a win.

Things have been rough for the Jets yet again as they are on pace for their 11th consecutive losing season and 16th consecutive year missing the playoffs.

Head coach Aaron Glenn has spent most of his tenure on the hot seat, though no change is expected to happen during the season. He hasn't helped his cause by appearing to not know certain in-game situations.

Fitzpatrick is in his first season with the Jets after being traded in the offseason. He is very familiar with them from his three years playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Whatever the actual comment Fitzpatrick made, the main point is the Jets did hurt themselves against the Raiders. They allowed 24 points in the second half and committed a third-down penalty on two separate drives that gave Las Vegas an automatic first down. Both drives ended with a Raiders touchdown.

The Jets' defensive miscues offset their best offensive performance of the season with 33 points and 439 total yards. They have lost three straight games and sit at 2-6 going into Sunday's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.