Forward of this season, the Jets acquired Jowon Briggs in a commerce with the Browns.
In what was not considered as a major transfer on the time, Briggs has develop into a key member of the Jets’ steadily enhancing protection.
“Just being able to get off the ball and attack. I just like being able to press the issue on the offensive line.”
In Cleveland, Briggs, 24, performed sparingly throughout his rookie season after registering 13 tackles in six video games after he was drafted within the seventh spherical out of Cincinnati. However Jets normal supervisor Darren Mougey noticed potential in him and despatched a 2026 sixth-round decide to Cleveland for Briggs and a 2026 seventh-round decide.
Briggs began the season as a rotational depth participant on the Jets’ defensive position who supplied help in each run protection and pass-rushing conditions. Nevertheless, after Quinnen Williams was traded to Dallas on the commerce deadline, the 6-1, 313-pound Briggs has develop into a starter and an instrumental determine within the Jets’ defensive turnaround.
Briggs is tied with Jermaine Johnson for second on the Jets in sacks with three. Within the Week 12 loss to the Ravens, Briggs and the Jets protection held Lamar Jackson and their offense to 98 speeding yards. He additionally completed with 5 tackles and a sack on Jackson.
“We knew, particularly coach (Eric) Washington, of his skill set,” Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks stated. “I feel, a matter of time, we’re beginning to see precisely what we envisioned.
“He can really create some one-on-ones and dominate, which you saw last week, getting a sack, collapsing the pocket, and getting that sack. He’s playing great ball. I think him and Harrison [Phillips] both are just being really solid inside, which has given us the opportunity to perform well on the outside.”
Earlier this season, the Jets protection was among the many worst within the league. However with the assistance of Briggs, the Jets have received three of their final 5 video games following a 0-7 begin.
Briggs might be an exclusive-rights free agent following the 2025 season as a result of he has fewer than three seasons within the NFL on an expiring contract. Due to that, the Jets can provide him a one-year contract on the league minimal based mostly on his expertise stage, and he wouldn’t be capable to negotiate with different groups.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 14: Jowon Briggs #91 of the New York Jets makes an attempt to deal with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Payments in the course of the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photograph by Elsa/Getty Pictures)
“I thought that was a really good move by our scouting department to bring somebody like that in,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn stated about Briggs. “He’s an enormous man, he’s sturdy.
“He’s able to stop the run because he’s been doing a good job of that, but what’s been surprising, and I wouldn’t say surprising, but what he’s had the tick up in is his ability to rush the passer also. We want to be able to utilize that. I’m not saying that he’s Mean Joe Greene or anything like that, but listen, he’s been doing a really good job of being disruptive in the pass game also.”
Not solely is Briggs a superb soccer participant, however he’s additionally an excellent singer. He served as a tenor throughout his time on the College of Virginia and the “University Singers” and the a cappella group, the Hullabahoos, a student-run cappella group, earlier than transferring to Cincinnati.
Along with singing, Briggs additionally performs a number of completely different devices, together with piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, flute, cello, violin, viola, and harmonica.
“I’ve always sang,” Briggs stated. “I used to be in a bunch of music performs, concert events, all varieties of solos and duets in highschool and elementary faculty and performed lots of completely different devices. That comes from a trickle-down impact from my household.
“My older sisters played all types of instruments, everything I’ve played. My younger brother actually still makes music at this point. So I’ve always been around the musical type of thing and the creative type of thing pretty much my entire life.”
