Throughout their preseason opener towards the Packers, the Jets’ offensive starters performed only one sequence.
If Gang Inexperienced’s starters are going to see prolonged time of their second preseason recreation towards the Giants, coach Aaron Glenn isn’t telling.
“The plan is the plan,” he mentioned on Wednesday. “That’s the plan.”
Regardless of the plan is, the Jets will look to have a greater outing towards the Giants in Saturday’s recreation than they did throughout this week’s joint practices. Whereas the Jets’ protection was strong, the identical couldn’t be mentioned concerning the offense, which was persistently harassed.
It’s unlikely that defensive deal with Quinnen Williams (calf), cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), and Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) will play towards the Giants. However there’s nonetheless quite a bit to look at throughout the annual MetLife Bowl.
HOW WILL THE O-LINE PERFORM?
Justin Fields and the Jets offensive line had a tough time throughout their two joint practices towards Huge Blue. On Tuesday, the Giants sacked Fields 4 occasions and their new beginning quarterback went by means of a stretch by which he threw 4 straight incompletions. Wednesday wasn’t significantly better as he accomplished 7 of 13 passes and was once more sacked 4 occasions. The Jets’ offense additionally stalled throughout the two-minute drill and did not get into area objective vary.
It was a worrisome efficiency because the Jets’ offensive line is meant to be certainly one of their strengths getting into the 2025 season. They’ve spent consecutive first-round picks on tackles, Olu Fashanu (2024) and Armand Membou (’25). In addition they have Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was a first-round decide in 2021, heart Joe Tippmann, who was drafted within the second spherical in 2023, and left guard John Simpson, who they signed as a free agent final yr.
It’s unknown how lengthy the Giants’ starters will play. However Saturday will show to be one other take a look at towards one of many higher defensive traces within the league.
CAN FIELDS BUILD ON PRESEASON OPENER?
Fields has had an up-and-down coaching camp. Nevertheless, he displayed a ton of confidence throughout his lone sequence within the Jets’ preseason victory towards the Packers.
He accomplished 3-of-4 passes for 42 yards and rushed for a 13-yard landing. What was most spectacular was Fields’ decisiveness and confidence to depart the pocket and create performs.
That isn’t what he confirmed throughout the two practices towards the Giants.
Fields struggled with accuracy and ball placement like he did throughout his first 4 seasons within the league. He threw two dangerous passes to Garrett Wilson throughout two-minute drills and was sacked by Brian Burns. Fields additionally held the ball means longer within the pocket than he ought to have.
The Jets are relying on Fields to know when to carry onto the ball and take off to flee defenders, versus throwing it away. That’s why they should see extra of the Fields that was on show towards the Packers reasonably than the QB who struggled throughout the joint practices.
WHICH CORNER WILL STEP UP?
With Gardner not more likely to play towards the Giants, it is going to be as much as the opposite cornerbacks to step up and make performs. What ought to assistance is that the Giants’ greatest receiver is not going to be on the sector.
Malik Nabers was held out of the practices this week with Giants coach Brian Daboll saying the receiver was “rehabbing.” Nabers has been coping with a toe harm that has saved him out of a number of coaching camp practices. Nabers additionally didn’t play within the preseason opener towards the Payments.
The Jets signed cornerback Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $48 million contract within the offseason regardless of fighting the Ravens. Final season, he allowed probably the most targets (96) within the league and the second-most yards (806). However Stephens has been large in coaching camp, bringing down a number of interceptions and breaking apart a whole lot of Fields’ passes.
Qwan’tez Stiggers has additionally been a coaching camp standout. He’s combating for a 53-man roster spot, however Stiggers has maximized his alternatives.
WILL PENALTIES CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE?
One of many few negatives from final weekend’s recreation was the variety of penalties. The Jets have been flagged 12 occasions for 91 yards.
Sure, it’s preseason, however Glenn is making an attempt to vary the tradition of a corporation that has led the league in penalties every of the final two years and hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 years.
The Jets dedicated three private foul penalties, which infuriated Glenn on the sidelines. Contemplating the roster turnover that they had throughout the offseason, the Jets can’t proceed making self-inflicted penalties as soon as the common season begins on Sept. 7.
Initially Revealed: August 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM EDT
