New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers knows the team needs more, including from himself, to turn things around after a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped them to 2-5 for the NFL season.

"I have to play better," Rodgers told reporters after the game. "That's the key, I have to play better. We have to find a way to run the ball better so we can play-action pass."

The veteran signal-caller lamented his "sh--tty interception" thrown to Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. in the second quarter, the first of two picks by the rookie.

That play was a turning point. Pittsburgh scored just before the end of halftime with an 11-yard touchdown reception by George Pickens Jr. and then dropped 24 unanswered points in the second half.

Rodgers thought the Jets' energy was "a little flat" at halftime and said there needs to be a wide buy-in from the roster in order for New York to make the most of its obvious talent.

Davante Adams, who made his debut for the team Sunday night, was equally frustrated but balanced that with a more optimistic view. He said in the locker room he was in a "bad mood" and at the same time "fired up about what this football team can do."

Maybe the Jets can still right the ship.

Adams, who caught three passes for 30 yards against Pittsburgh, only joined the team last week. Edge-rusher Haason Reddick ended his holdout hours before the game and will finally be suiting up. The pieces are seemingly there for New York to be a contender.

At the same time, little has changed in terms of the Jets' performance between the start of last year and now. Having Rodgers healthy hasn't done much, nor has firing head coach Robert Saleh. It's too early to know what impact the Adams trade and Reddick's arrival will have.

Sooner or later a team simply is what its record says.

Should the losses continue to pile up for New York, it will be harder and harder to argue this squad actually has another level to hit.