Though it's unclear what Sheldon Richardson actually said, one thing is certain: His head coach isn't happy.
Todd Bowles said he plans to "have a conversation very soon" with his defensive lineman after Richardson recorded a Snapchat video littered with expletives before Saturday night's 34-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
During the 7-second clip _ which was posted to teammate Rontez Miles' Snapchat account from inside the Jets' locker room _ Richardson asks, "Where the [girls] at?" But it was his next sentence that drew the most attention and the ire of frustrated Jets fans.
Richardson either said "[Bleep] this game" or "[Bleep] this guy," referring to Miles, who is seated beside him and visible throughout the video.
Regardless of what was actually said, the video was the latest in a string of questionable decisions by the talented but immature lineman.
"I was just made aware of it and me and Sheldon will have a conversation very soon," Bowles said during his Sunday morning conference call with reporters. "We don't condone any of that. We're going to have a discussion and take care of it."
The Jets tried unsuccessfully to deal Richardson before the Nov. 1 trade deadline, and they're expected to try to move him this offseason. The problem is, Richardson has far less trade value now because of his lack of production and off-the-field decisions. The 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year has 1.5 sacks this season and his play has diminished of late. His versatility, one of his greatest strengths, has also turned out to be a hindrance, as the coaching staff has played him at defensive end, tackle, outside linebacker and also middle linebacker. But Richardson has done himself no favors, either.
After serving a four-game suspension in 2014 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy (marijuana), he was suspended for the Jets' 2015 season opener for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy stemming from a May 2014 arrest in Missouri. This season, Bowles benched Richardson and fellow defensive star Muhammad Wilkerson for a quarter against the Dolphins on Nov. 6.
Asked if Richardson will be disciplined, Bowles said: "We'll take care of it here. That's not something we condone or we encourage. That's unacceptable ... It's disturbing that it was said at all."
The head coach _ who made Richardson a game captain Saturday night _ defended the 26-year-old's effort on the field, however.
"Sheldon plays hard," Bowles said. "Inappropriate comments should have never been said. It's inexcusable, but he plays hard."
