The New York Jets have been a very disappointing franchise for the past couple of seasons. Known to be one of the worst teams in the AFC East, they accompany the other New York team (in the NFC), the Giants, in failing to please the New York football fans. The Jets have made a numerous amount of moves to bounce back. The latest big moves were acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers via free agency and star wide receiver Davante Adams via Las Vegas Raiders. That quickly went down the drain. This year with a new head coach, Aaron Glenn, the former defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, the Jets look to make a statement in a newly reloaded AFC East.
JUSTIN FIELDS (NEW QB)
Justin Fields is a very special quarterback. Fields is a dual threat quarterback, overlooked by many teams and analysts. Fields last year was the QB2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had to start the first 6 games of the season due to an early season injury for QB1 Russell Wilson. Fields WENT OFF in his 6 games with the Steelers.
Justin Fields (PIT 2024-2025) Stats:
1106 Passing Yards
5 Passing Touchdowns
1 Interceptions
65.8% Completion Percentage
93.3 QBR
231 Rushing Yards
3 Rushing Touchdowns
4-2 Regular Season Record (in 6 games started)
2nd in AFC North
DNP AFC WildCard Game
With Fields’s losses only being by one score, there was no saying whether the Steelers could’ve started 6-0 rather than 4-2. Fields showcases his strong rushing ability and improvement in passing, but struggles with consistency and pocket management. Both of those flaws are improved upon every time Fields steps onto the gridiron. One that still needs work would be to increase and improve upon passing production. He is amazing as a rushing quarterback, he even broke Michael Vick’s rushing record in a game while playing for the Chicago Bears. On November 6th of 2022, Justin Fields rushed for 178 yards and put up a fight against the Miami Dolphins. Strongly showing his potential.
With Fields getting another shot with the New York Jets, he’ll be able to start fresh with a brand new team, and will not have to sit behind anyone else. He will be playing with his former Ohio State Buckeyes teammate, wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Fields will be looking to spark a new connection and ignite a brand new offense in New York.
DRAFT GRADES
Armand Membou (OT, Missouri): B+
Mason Taylor (TE, LSU): B-
Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State): A-
Arian Smith (WR, Georgia): C+
Malachi Moore (S, Alabama): B
Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami): B+
Tyler Baron (DE, Miami): B
DEPARTURE OF QBs
After “2-ish” seasons with Aaron Rodgers, the Jets knew it was over for Rodgers’ time in green. His first season was cut short within seconds, due to a torn achilles in less than 30 seconds. His second season matched similar energy to his first with the Jets, only thing was he was on the field. He had completely changed his pocket awareness with the Jets. Sometimes you gotta take a couple hits and play dirty in order to play well. Following the achilles injury, Rodgers was trying to avoid hits at all costs and was making unnecessary plays leading to turnovers.
During the 2024-2025 season, he was up and down. The ups were his IQ and his ability to make strong and smart throws. One of his downs was the fact that he did not want to get hit, meaning he would not showcase his mobility. Nor would Rodgers try to extend plays and try to elevate the rest of the offense. Followed by inconsistencies, Rodgers’ time in New York came to an end.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ 2024-2025) Stats:
3897 Passing Yards
28 Passing Touchdowns
11 Interceptions
63.0% Completion Percentage
90.5 QBR
5-12 Regular Season Record (17 games played)
3rd in AFC East
The Jets HAD another quarterback last year. He was their supposedly QB2, but sat on the IR. That was Jordan Travis. Travis had to leave due to issues with his leg. His leg was unable to rehab the way he had wanted to, so doctors had medically advised him to retire from the sport he had so much loved. Travis recently announced via social media and informed the team of his retirement. To learn more about Jordan Travis, read my previous article:
GARRETT WILSON
Since Garrett Wilson has entered the league, he’s a young receiver that is a force to be reckoned with. Wilson has had 3 straight 1000+ receiving yards seasons after his 2022-2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. His 2024-2025 season with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback was again dominant.
Garrett Wilson (2024-2025) Stats:
1104 Receiving Yards
101 Receptions
7 Receiving Touchdowns
10.9 Yards Per Reception
Garrett Wilson is a dynamic receiver with speed and strong route-running ability. He also has great hands and can beat defenders consistently. However, he can struggle against tight coverage and strong secondaries. Wilson’s athletic abilities will be strongly matched with Justin Fields’s dynamic playstyle. Who knows if they could finally go over .500 this season and if Fields can be an MVP candidate this year?
COACH GLENN
Coach Glenn is known as a good motivator and defensive leader with an ability to develop players and improve the team’s overall performance. His success as a defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions under head coach Dan Campbell, where he helped the Lions’ defense improve significantly despite a high number of injuries, further increases the value of his resume.
DEFENSE
The Jets defense was an upside to their disappointing 2024-2025 season. They had a rank of 5th in the league for their defense. They’re defense was strong against the pass, and to show for it ranked high in yards allowed and passing touchdowns. Especially with young cornerback, Sauce Gardner, who is a top corner, the Jets can defend well against the pass.
The Jets defense’s downside would certainly be their defendability against the run. Their defense always falls short to strong rushing offenses. During the beginning of the game, their run stopping ability remains decent, however, throughout the game their defensive line begins to tire out. When the defensive line tires out, they are more susceptible to these power rushing offenses. The Jets defense needs to avoid allowing explosive plays and committing unnecessarily or silly penalties.
Defensive Additions (Signing)
Rashad Weaver (DE)
Isaiah Oliver (CB)
Jay Tufele (DT)
Derrick Nnadi (DT)
Defensive Additions (FA)
Azareye’h Thomas (CB):
Malachi Moore (S):
Tyler Baron (EDGE)
These defensive additions will help add younger “bodies” to the defense to avoid fatigue, and allow for stronger defensive lineman for elite run stopping ability. The defense will need to step up to support the offense if they want to have a chance in surviving the loaded AFC East.
