Like several new regime change, there’s a honeymoon interval.
The Jets are at present experiencing that part throughout organized workforce actions underneath new coach head Aaron Glenn.
There was a variety of discuss concerning the Jets’ new tradition underneath Glenn and the gamers have apparently purchased in. Glenn advised reporters that the workforce had 100% attendance throughout final week’s OTA practices.
Tradition adjustments are at all times a gradual course of, particularly for a Jets group that hasn’t made the playoffs for the reason that launch of the primary iPad in 2010. Glenn has been via this earlier than, when he served because the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024.
Detroit was one of many league’s laughing shares earlier than the arrival of Glenn and coach Dan Campbell. However now the Lions are contenders within the NFC after ending 27-7 the final two seasons.
The Jets hope Glenn can replicate comparable outcomes, nevertheless it may take a while. Though outcomes gained’t rely for an additional 4 months, it’s time to reply a few of your questions on this version of the Jets mailbag.
I say this with like to Jets followers, give Glenn time to try to cook dinner. Rome wasn’t inbuilt a day, and neither is a workforce that hasn’t completed with a successful report since 2015.
The Jets skilled vital roster turnover this offseason, transitioning from one of many oldest groups within the league to one of many youngest. The Jets completed with the eighth-oldest roster within the league final season, with a mean age of 28 years previous. Gone are veterans Aaron Rodgers (41), Davante Adams (32), C.J. Mosley (32), Morgan Moses (34), Tyron Smith (34), Greg Zuerlein (37) and Thomas Morstead (39).
There are solely three gamers on the Jets roster who’re 30 years previous or older (Tyrod Taylor, Josh Reynolds and Thomas Hennessy). Allen Lazard and Zack Bailey, each 29, will flip 30 throughout subsequent season.
Along with having a brand new coach in Glenn, this can even be Justin Fields’ first season with the Jets, following his signing of a two-year, $40 million contract in March. I noticed all of this to say that the 2025 season might be a bit bumpy for the Jets.
Gang Inexperienced performs 4 groups in its first six video games, who made the playoffs final yr: the Steelers, Payments, Buccaneers, and Broncos. If the Jets can navigate that early stretch, possibly they may win a number of video games within the again half of their schedule.
Success shouldn’t essentially be judged by wins and losses in Glenn’s first season. However it is going to be as a result of Jets followers have been craving for a successful season for over a decade. Success ought to be judged by how a lot the Jets have improved by the top of the 2025 season.
There may be appreciable concern with the Jets’ broad receiver room outdoors of Garrett Wilson, who I consider has a chance to have a profession yr. Lazard has been a disappointment since signing a four-year, $44 million contract in 2023. To such an extent that Lazard accepted a pay reduce from a $11 million base wage to $2.25 million.
Outdoors of Wilson and Lazard, there isn’t a confirmed receiver on the Jets roster. They signed Reynolds and Tyler Johnson through the offseason, however neither has had greater than 52 catches in a season.
I do see the Jets including one other receiver ultimately, possibly in coaching camp. However I don’t count on it to be a veteran like Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen as a result of, as Glenn has typically mentioned, “It’s a young man’s game.”
I’ve mentioned this a number of occasions, however sure, I do count on it to occur earlier than the common season begins. Each Rodgers and Mosley have been June 1 locations, which implies the Jets will get $22.8 million in wage cap aid on June 2. The Jets at present have $25 million in wage cap area, which is No. 16 within the NFL, in keeping with Over The Cap.
Which means the Jets can have $47.8 million in wage cap area, which might be the third most within the league, behind the Patriots and 49ers. Evidently, that may present a variety of flexibility to signal Wilson and Gardner and it will be smart for the Jets to increase them each sooner quite than later.
Returning to my level about Glenn and youthful gamers, I don’t assume they need to add one other veteran on the tight finish place. The Jets already signed a veteran tight finish in Stone Smartt, who’s an efficient blocker and will also be a good cross catcher.
Jeremy Ruckert additionally returns and figures to play a key function within the Jets’ offense this fall. He already has chemistry with Fields, having performed collectively at Ohio State from 2019 to 2020.
Very similar to the receiver place, there’s a variety of unproven depth at tight finish. Nonetheless, 12 months 1 of the Glenn period will likely be a great alternative to see how lots of the youthful gamers thrive or wrestle in Tanner Engstrand’s offense.
