Despite disappointing rookie year, Jets see ‘bright future’ for WR Malachi Corley

New York: Malachi Corley, the Jets’ rookie wide receiver, had a rough start this season. He was trying to find his place on the team and earn the trust of Aaron Rodgers.

He showed promise in training camp, but once the games started, he struggled to get involved. Rodgers seemed to prefer throwing to familiar faces like Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.

Corley only played in three of the first seven games, catching just one pass for four yards. He even had a tough moment when a potential touchdown run got called back because he dropped the ball.

Jets’ offensive coordinator Todd Downing mentioned that Corley has been wanting more chances and is learning to deal with the situation better. After some roster changes, he finally got more playing time, but it didn’t lead to much production.

In Week 12, he was on the field for 60% of the snaps but only managed one catch for eight yards. He was inactive for the next two games, which was disappointing.

Despite the challenges, Downing believes Corley has a bright future ahead. He thinks the rookie has the skills to help the team win games, but right now, he’s competing for opportunities with more experienced players.

Corley has been inactive for more games than he’s been targeted, with just 16 receiving yards on three catches this season. With only two games left, the focus is on winning, which means the best players will get the chances to shine.

Downing emphasized that they’ll do what’s best for the team to win, but he also sees value in Corley learning from the talented players around him.

Interestingly, the Jets had high hopes for Corley, trying to trade up to draft him earlier. He ended up being picked in the third round, and with some changes in the front office, there’s a chance for him to turn things around in the future.