Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Up next: the Jets.
The Jets became instant Super Bowl contenders the second Aaron Rodgers announced his desire to leave the Packers and play in New York with coach Robert Saleh’s talented young roster.
Obviously, there was a lengthy trade negotiation period between Rodgers’s former team and new team, with lots of finger-pointing drama before and after the trade became official. Rodgers has said a few times he wasn’t initially pushing to leave the Packers, and they were the ones looking to end the partnership to begin the era of Jordan Love.
But Jets fans probably can’t care less about the dispute, and are just thrilled they have a motivated Rodgers on their side to possibly end their title drought (dating back to 1969, when Joe Namath made the iconic Super Bowl III guarantee). There’s also plenty of buzz for the Jets aside from Rodgers, thanks to dominant rookie seasons from cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall.
But before the Jets can think about the Super Bowl, they’ll need to compete in a rugged AFC East with the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots. And to win the division, they’ll need Rodgers to return to his All-Pro form.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Trading for Rodgers
Adding a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback probably doesn’t feel like a gamble for the Jets, but there are a few risks involved with Rodgers’s arrival. He’s entering his age-40 season, and coming off a down year, for his lofty standards (3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions). It’s fair to note, however, that Rodgers was dealing with injuries, and he was playing with an inexperienced receiving corps and a subpar offensive line in 2022. But if the quarterback doesn’t return to top form—say he has a Russell Wilson–like first season in New York—the Jets likely won’t be able to move on, given they’re on the hook for Rodgers’s 2024 guaranteed salary of $58.3 million. The season hasn’t started yet, but the Rodgers trade already hurt the Jets in the draft, too: Because New York swapped picks with Green Bay, moving down from No. 13 to 15 in the first round, they were barred from potentially grabbing offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who went to the Steelers at No. 14. What’s more, the Jets should have some concerns after failing to make it work with Brett Favre 15 years ago.
Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 1 to 4
The Jets’ schedule will be tough enough playing in the loaded AFC East, but the first month might be the toughest. They open the season at home with a divisional clash versus Josh Allen and the Bills. That’s followed by a road game against the Cowboys, who are expected to once again be a top team in the NFC. In Week 3, the Jets host the Patriots, who might be a sleeper team with a talented defense. (Also, Bill Belichick has had the Jets’ number the past two decades.) The four-game gauntlet ends with a home game vs. the reigning Super Bowl champions. The new-look Jets could be in trouble by early October.
Breakout player to watch: Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II
Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports
This was a tough pick, because most of the Jets’ younger players experienced breakout seasons last year, including Gardner and Wilson, two 2022 first-round picks. But some might have forgotten that Johnson was the Jets’ third first-round pick that year. Johnson only played 34% percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps as a rookie, but he often flashed as a polished playmaker with 2.5 sacks, 29 total tackles and five quarterback hits. After waiting his turn behind Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers, Johnson could be next in line to shine under Saleh’s guidance. For bonus candidates, Bryce Huff and rookie Will McDonald IV could also be impact players on the Jets’ defensive front.
Position of strength: Secondary
Gardner’s presence alone makes the Jets’ secondary one of the best in the league, but he does have plenty of help. D.J. Reed was a quality No. 2 outside cornerback, and Michael Carter II is one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league. Also, the Jets traded for safety Chuck Clark, a stout run stopper with 101 total tackles for the Ravens last season, but Clark recently suffered a torn ACL during OTAs. That led to the Jets signing Adrian Amos, a former standout safety for the Packers. Amos could start the season next to Jordan Whitehead, who had 89 total tackles and two interceptions in 2022.
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Position of weakness: Offensive tackle
The most uncertainty on the Jets’ roster surrounds the two starting tackle spots, with Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton. Heading into his age-38 season, Brown is one of the oldest starting left tackles in the league, but he played well enough last year and logged 746 offensive snaps. Becton, 24, is much younger, but he has struggled with consistency and availability throughout his career; the 2020 first-round pick was challenged by Saleh earlier this offseason to earn the starting left tackle job after Becton voiced his displeasure about playing right tackle. The tackle spots have question marks, but the Jets’ interior offensive line should be fine with a healthy Alijah Vera-Tucker, who only played seven games last season. Vera-Tucker is a guard, but he did play tackle in college.
X-factor: RB Breece Hall
Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin / USA TODAY Network
It wasn’t a coincidence that the Jets’ offense drastically declined after Hall tore his ACL seven games into his rookie season. The 2022 second-round pick was a front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year before the injury, but most importantly, he provided balance to help a sluggish passing game. Hall, who recorded 463 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season, might be the key to helping Rodgers get quickly acclimated with New York’s offense.
Sleeper fantasy pick: WR Allen Lazard
Most folks in the fantasy world love Wilson in his second season, but I think Lazard could make an impact, too. After all, he has a great rapport with Rodgers from their time in Green Bay. If you’re looking for a late-round WR4 or WR5, Lazard is well worth a look. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best bet: Take the over on Garrett Wilson’s 1150.5 receiving yards
The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly eclipsed this mark with some combination of Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco under center. Now he has a four-time MVP throwing him the ball. Wilson should not see a sophomore slump. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
