Do Jets fans finally have something to be thrilled about? Are people ready for what they can do? Star linebacker and former Philadelphia Eagle Haason Reddick, is expected to add a new level of pass rush to the already extremely dominant Jets defense. In 2023, Haasan recorded 11 sacks, 23 QB hits, 13 tackles for loss and was named to the Pro Bowl games. The year before, he had delivered a career-high 16 sacks, and 26 QB hits, making him a candidate for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting. In addition to Haason’s phenomenal numbers, he has fourth most sacks in the NFL with 51 over the past four seasons.
With Jets general manager Joe Douglas answering phone calls for some players to be moved, defensive lineman Bryce Huff had gotten the call from Philadelphia in free agency. After Bryce signed with the Eagles, Joe Douglas knew he had to sign a strong player to the defensive line. In a swap of sorts, the Jets had acquired Haason Reddick. Reddick had told the media he felt “happy” that the deal was done. He says, “I don’t think people are ready for what’s going to happen.”
Now that we know the defensive side of the ball will do their job, can we trust the Jets offense to score points and win games? The obvious problem for the Jets a season ago, was the season ending injury that had QB Aaron Rodgers carted off the field. The Achillies tear he had suffered, was initially thought to be a career-ending injury. Something Jets fans had waited and had excitement around, eager to see Rodgers play in a Jets uniform; was all gone in the matter of the first game of the season, four plays in. The Jets season had started with hope and ended with disappointment, a familiar feeling around there, but this time was different.
The summer had brought all the hype around MetLife, with the buildup around Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in New York. The Jets hadn’t been a playoff contending team since 2010, so this felt like a different type of hype for Jetsnation. A team who hadn’t been in the playoffs in 13 years, was in the conversation of winning a Super Bowl. The moment Rodgers had run out of the tunnel, in a Jets jersey, holding an American flag the cheers from the stadium had matched that moment. Chills throughout, as the crowd roars for number eight in white and green.
Zach Wilson had been thrown in the QB position for the Jets after the tear of Rodgers’ Achilles. As most of the league expected, Wilson has officially parted ways with the New York Jets and made his way over to the Denver Broncos. Ever since the Jets had signed QB Tyrod Taylor from the Giants, this move by the Jets was no surprise. Wilson was a 2nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL from BYU but was just not a fit with the New York Jets. Although they have officially parted ways, the Jets will still pay some of Wilson’s roughly $5.5M salary. This just shows that with Aaron Rodgers nearing the end of his career, the Jets are reportedly viewing this as an “all in” season and will be aggressive to ensure they have every opportunity to win.
Hopefully the Jets can move forward past last season and flip the script to be a contending team. As the Jets season last year consisted of a lot of play on the ground from Bryce Hall, the Jets hope to work the chemistry between Garrett Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. The Jets also added WR Mike Williams from the Los Angeles Chargers, who will be entering his 6th NFL season with a total of 4,806 yards. Williams had struggled with injury last season and only played 3 games but ended up finishing with 249 yards in those 3 games. Ahead of the NFL Draft this upcoming Thursday, a lot of what the Jets decide to do in this draft will be determined when they choose between adding another offensive weapon or bolstering their offensive line.
