A month after the Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy following their Tremendous Bowl LIX victory towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, free company is ready to start.
The brand new league 12 months will formally start Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, however groups can begin negotiating with gamers at midday on Monday.
That is coach Aaron Glenn and normal supervisor Darren Mougey’s first offseason with the Jets and so they have numerous work to do after inheriting a crew that completed 5-12 final season.
“We’re looking for smart, tough, aggressive and resilient players,” Glenn mentioned throughout final week’s NFL Scouting Mix. “We’re going to do everything we can to find those guys, and listen, you can find them in all different spots, small schools, big-time schools, trades, wherever we can find them we’re going to try to bring them on this team.”
The Jets have 27 gamers set to turn into free brokers, together with cornerback D.J. Reed, proper sort out Morgan Moses, linebacker Jamien Sherwood and tight finish Tyler Conklin. The Jets are involved in re-signing Sherwood, based on sources, however he’ll generate numerous curiosity in free company.
Discovering a brand new beginning quarterback is the highest precedence for the Jets. Final month, they introduced they might launch Aaron Rodgers after two seasons. Gang Inexperienced additionally launched extensive receiver Davante Adams this week after the crew acquired him in a midseason commerce with the Raiders final October.
The Jets have $51.4 million of accessible wage cap area. With that in thoughts, let’s take a look at the areas the Jets will possible goal as soon as free company begins.
FINDING A QB TO COMPETE WITH TAYLOR
Tyrod Taylor is the one skilled quarterback at the moment on the Jets roster. Though he didn’t begin final season, Taylor, 35, has began 58 video games within the NFL, with most of these coming when he was the Buffalo Payments beginning quarterback from 2015-17.
Whereas Taylor is the chief within the clubhouse to be the Jets’ starter in 2025, Glenn informed reporters he wasn’t able to declare the 14-year veteran the crew’s starter.
“We haven’t had free agency, we haven’t had the draft,” Glenn mentioned. “Listen, Tyrod’s a good player, we know that. I think he’s won almost 50% of his games, so he’s a guy that’s been in this league for a long time, so to answer that question, it’s hard to because draft and free agency haven’t come yet.”
The Jets even have Jordan Travis on their roster, however he didn’t play final season after struggling a fractured and dislocated ankle throughout his ultimate 12 months at Florida State in 2023.
Free company doesn’t deliver many good choices, however Justin Fields needs to be on the high of the Jets’ want record at quarterback. He has beginning expertise, with most of that coming from when he was in Chicago from 2021-23.
Fields, 26, was traded to the Steelers final offseason and commenced the 12 months as their beginning quarterback. He was 4-2 in six begins (1,106 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception) however was relegated to the Steelers’ backup position after veteran Russell Wilson recovered from his calf damage.
Pittsburgh is reportedly involved in maintaining Fields, presumably as its beginning quarterback. Nonetheless, the Jets might enable Fields to turn into their long-term starter if he performs nicely. However he has lacked consistency as a passer throughout his time within the NFL — finishing 61.1% of his throws and by no means ending with greater than 17 TDs throughout his 4 years within the league.
If it’s not Fields, the Jets might signal Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota to compete with Taylor for the beginning job.
NEW RIGHT TACKLE, WIDE RECEIVER, TIGHT END
The quarterback place is much from the one offensive gap the Jets have. In addition they want a brand new beginning proper sort out, presumably a few new receivers and a decent finish.
With Moses set to hit free company, the Jets will possible look to get youthful on the place after the veteran performed by means of a number of accidents final 12 months, together with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. If Moses will not be re-signed, Jedrick Wills might make some sense at proper sort out. He principally performed at left sort out for the Cleveland Browns after he was chosen tenth total within the 2020 draft out of Alabama.
Wills has expertise taking part in at proper sort out for the Crimson Tide earlier than he was moved to the left aspect in Cleveland.
After Adams was launched, the Jets should discover a receiver to pair with their budding younger star, Garrett Wilson. Many veteran receivers shall be on the free-agent market this offseason, however Tim Patrick may very well be a goal for the Jets on Day 1 of free company.
Patrick performed with the Detroit Lions final season and is acquainted with Glenn and the brand new Jets offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand. After tearing his Achilles in 2023, Patrick completed final season with 33 receptions for 394 and 4 touchdowns.
The Jets might wait till the draft to fill their tight finish want, however they might additionally use a veteran cross catcher. The Jaguars launched Evan Engram on Thursday, which may very well be an choice for the Jets.
FILLING SEVERAL HOLES ON DEFENSE
After ending high 5 in yards allowed the final three seasons, the Jets have a number of key areas to handle on a protection that light following Robert Saleh’s firing after a 2-3 begin. Glenn and Mougey might begin on the line of scrimmage since there are questions at defensive sort out.
Quinnen Williams stays among the finest defensive tackles within the league, however he wants somebody to take strain off him on the other aspect. Veterans Poona Ford and D.J. Jones are each gamers who would assist with stuffing the run, an space the Jets struggled with the final couple of years.
The cornerback place reverse Sauce Gardner can also be a priority for the Jets. Free agent Carlton Davis, who labored beneath Glenn when he was the defensive coordinator of the Lions, may very well be in line for a major elevate. In his solely season with the Lions, Davis completed with 56 tackles, 11 passes defended and two interceptions in 13 video games.
