Mike Tomlin’s quarterback switch paid off, the Jets’ gamble did not, and the Deshaun Watson era is likely over in Cleveland — all that and more in today’s NFL Notes.

Aaron Rodgers’ interception leads to a Steelers burst over the jets

The New York Jets led the Pittsburgh Steelers 15-6 and were marching toward the end of the first half. It appeared the Jets’ desperate moves, which included firing Robert Saleh, changing offensive play-callers and trading for Davante Adams over the past two weeks, might pay off on Sunday night. But Aaron Rodgers threw an interception on a ball he forced to Garrett Wison. Steelers rookie Beanie Wilson intercepted Rodgers, the sixth time he has been intercepted this season, and that was all she wrote for New York.

Rodgers would throw another interception in the third quarter and Pittsburgh would roll to a 37-15 win over the Jets. Russell Wilson made his first start of the season and threw for 264 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Wilson posted a 109.0 passer rating, which should at least earn him a new start under center for the Steelers, who move to 5-2 on the season.

The Jets fell to 2-4, three wins behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East (Buffalo earned a head-to-head win over New York). Their postseason hopes are quickly fading. The Jets’ two wins this season were against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 (which was unconvincing) and the New England Patriots in Week 3. After that win over New England on September 25, Aaron Rodgers said their biggest battle this season will be his ‘dealing with success’. Ironically, they haven’t won a match since.

The Jets can get back on track in Week 8 if they beat the Patriots again on Sunday.

Deshaun Watson’s season is over

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury on Sunday, ending his season (h/t @RapSheet) in the Browns’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. That injury means Watson’s time in Cleveland is all but over. Cleveland, which enters Week 8 at 1-6, will turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The remainder of the schedule will likely serve as an evaluation period for the Browns’ ownership and front office, which will determine who will be let go due to the mess created. (Luis: LOL! Cleveland extended its head coach *AND* general manager in June. So good luck cleaning up that mess.)

If Watson makes his final snap for the Browns, we can safely call this one of the worst trades in NFL history. Carolina’s trade for the No. 1 pick with the Chicago Bears in March 2023 is up there, but the Watson trade was an absolute disaster. Cleveland ignored all the red flags, traded for Watson and then gave him an unprecedented contract despite a slew of sexual misconduct allegations surrounding him.

The Browns sent three first-round picks to the Houston Texans, a 2022 fourth-rounder, a 2023 third-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder for Watson. Here’s how the Texans used these picks:

That’s five starters and one backup for Houston, who is 5-2, atop the AFC South, and coming off a playoff berth in which they strangled the Joe Flacco-led Browns last January.

Watson played 19 games for the Browns, winning nine games. Cleveland paid him $25.96 million per win, and they are still on the hook for two more years of his albatross contract.

Aidan O’Connell is placed on IR with a broken thumb

The Las Vegas Raiders will turn to Gardner Minshew at quarterback (again) after second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell broke his thumb during the Raiders’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Minshew, who replaced the injured O’Connell on Sunday, threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in a 20-15 loss to the Rams. The 28-year-old Minshew threw for 1,168 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions in the league this season. Meanwhile, O’Connell has thrown for 455 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that it’s an injury that will put O’Connell on the shelf for the next four to six weeks. For what it’s worth, that means there’s a chance Vegas’ QB2 returns before the season ends.

Other NFL Notes