PALM BEACH, Fla. — Three weeks earlier than the NFL Draft, the Jets nonetheless have a number of holes to deal with on the roster.
Nevertheless, basic supervisor Darren Mougey likes the place their roster is in forward of subsequent month’s NFL Draft.
“I feel like the roster is in a good position right now,” Mougey stated. “We will continue to add good players, good depth to continue to improve the roster.”
The Jets have had an eventful month of March. They launched Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams after Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey had been employed as coach and basic supervisor. C.J. Mosley, D.J. Reed, Morgan Moses, and Tyler Conklin, who had been all locker room leaders, are additionally gone.
Gang Inexperienced’s first large free agent splash was signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract. Now Fields will likely be tasked with main a Jets offense that completed twenty fourth in yards (310.3) and factors per recreation (19.9).
Fields, 26, shouldn’t be identified for his accuracy, as he has accomplished 61.1% of his passes throughout his 4 seasons within the NFL. He can escape strain and create performs utilizing his legs.
Throughout his 50 profession video games within the league, Fields has thrown for 7,780 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions.
“Justin is a young, talented quarterback with a unique athletic skill set that adds another dimension to the game that’s hard to defend,” Mougey stated. “Then diving into the person, knowing him, his leadership, it was just a good fit.”
In 10 video games (six begins) final season with the Steelers, Fields accomplished a career-high 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just one interception. He additionally rushed for 289 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Mougey not solely stated Fields could be the Jets’ beginning quarterback this season, however the workforce additionally thinks he may very well be the workforce’s long-term quarterback resolution.
“We believe Justin is the starter and we believe in Justin,” Mougey stated. “You saw it last year, he went 4-2 as a starter and had some of the best quarterback play of his career. We are going to do everything to support him when he gets here.”
“But Tyrod [Taylor] is going to be right on his heels. Tyrod is a pro’s pro. Really, it’s going to be a great asset for Justin in the quarterback room.
“Tyrod has been around the league for a long time, and he knows what it takes to prepare and prep for this league and be ready to play.”
Lazard may stay with the Jets
Forward of free company, the Jets granted Allen Lazard permission to hunt a commerce. In response to Mougey, they want Lazard to return, however would really like him to restructure the four-year, $44 million contract he signed in 2023.
“That’s the hope,” Mougey stated. “We will work through that, that’s fluid.”
Lazard performed in 12 video games in 2024 and solely registered 37 catches for 530 yards and 6 touchdowns. This adopted a yr through which Lazard caught simply 23 passes for 311 yards and a landing in 2023.
Lazard remains to be owed about $28 million on his deal and the Jets may save $6.6 million by releasing him. Nevertheless, the workforce’s receiver room is skinny after Garrett Wilson.
Along with Wilson, the Jets’ high receivers are Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson, who each signed this offseason. In addition they have Xavier Gipson and Malachi Corley, a 2024 third-round choose who performed sparingly final season.
Doesn’t sound like extensions for Wilson and Gardner are coming anytime quickly
After finishing their third seasons within the NFL, each Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner are eligible for contract extensions for the primary time of their careers.
On the NFL Mix final month, Mougey instructed reporters that extensions for each had been on the “to-do list.” Nevertheless, when requested about it on Sunday, Mougey admitted that it isn’t his high precedence in the intervening time.
“In regards to extensions in general, look, there’s been a lot of talk about that,” Mougey stated. “We have several players, whether it’s early extensions or players we can extend in the last year, and those are good problems to have.
“But when having those discussions, those are good discussions to have. But right now, my focus is on the draft. Once we get through the draft, we will talk about potential extensions for whoever that might be.”
Mougey didn’t say he wouldn’t take into account extending Wilson and Gardner, nevertheless it may very well be some time earlier than it occurs. The Jets are anticipated to train their fifth-year choice on each Wilson and Gardner earlier than the Might 1 deadline, which might hold them underneath contract by way of the 2026 season.
The Jets ought to in all probability lengthen each Wilson and Gardner as quickly as attainable as a result of the price of holding high cornerbacks and large receivers continues to rise. Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. agreed to a $90 million contract earlier this month to develop into the highest-paid cornerback within the league. Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase can also be the highest-paid participant at his place after receiving a four-year, $161 million contract.
The Jets will doubtless get extensions for Wilson and Gardner executed. It’s only a matter of when and the way a lot it might price them.
