The Jets are all in for 2023. They went after quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers and, almost certainly, gave up a first-round pick in 2024 to do so. So we know where they stand for this season, which is what’s most important at the moment. But what about the immediate future?
ESPN recently took a look at that, along with every other team. Dan Graziano, Louis Riddick and Seth Walder all got together to rank the 32 teams in terms of how the teams stack up over the next three seasons (2023, 2024, 2025). They rated “each team’s quarterback situation, remaining (non-QB) roster, drafting ability/capital, front office and coaching.”
ESPN then weighted each position to create an overall score — roster (30%), quarterback (20%), draft (15%), front office (15%) and coaching (20%). So how did the Jets score?
New York came away with an overall score of 81.2, good for 15th in the league but still, a very good score using ESPN’s scale. Helping the Jets here was a score of 87.3 at the quarterback position (No. 8 overall) and an 85 for their overall roster not counting quarterback (No. 11 overall).
A score of 79 for draft capital was still in the middle of the pack, so not terrible, even with giving up a high 2024 pick. The numbers bringing the Jets down a bit were a 76.7 score (22nd in the league) for the front office and a 73.7 score (24th in the league) for coaching.
Here’s what ESPN had to say about the hope and concern for the Jets:
Reason for hope: I don’t know if you have heard, but the Jets got Aaron Rodgers. It boosted their grade in the QB category, as you might expect, and their overall roster graded out very strongly as well. Any time you have the reigning Offensive (Garrett Wilson) and Defensive Rookies of the Year (Sauce Gardner) on the same team, you’ve got hope. — Graziano
Reason for concern: The present and the future are one and the same for the Jets. It is Super Bowl or bust for however many seasons Rodgers, 39, is with the team. But can the offensive line keep him upright? Can it capture the line of scrimmage and provide some space for an impressive group of running backs? The Jets finished 21st in pass block win rate and 31st in run block win rate last season. That isn’t going to get it done. — Riddick
Stat to know: The Jets ranked fifth in EPA per play on defense last season — and first if we look at all non-interception, non-fumble plays. That bodes well for the team’s prospects of carrying over its 2022 defensive success into 2023. — Walder
Right now, it’s all about 2023 for the Jets, but at least the future isn’t all that bleak. It could be worse. At least they’re not the Arizona Cardinals.
