New York Jets
2022 record: 7-10
Notable additions: OC Nathaniel Hackett, WR Allen Lazard, S Chuck Clark, P Thomas Morstead. Re-signed: LB Quincy Williams, K Greg Zuelein.
Notable losses: DT Sheldon Rankins, DT Nathan Shepherd, QB Mike White.
Best move: Hiring Hackett to give themselves a shot at landing Aaron Rodgers.
Head scratcher: Putting all of their eggs in the Rodgers basket. If it doesn’t work out, there will be more than a little egg on their faces. All of the legitimate free agent QBs are taken.
Outlook: Obviously, the biggest question is Rodgers. His situation remains in limbo. As of Friday, the Packers and Jets were still haggling over trade details.
The fact that Rodgers wants to join the Jets certainly works in their favor. So does the fact they hired Hackett, Rodgers former offensive coordinator with the Packers. At this point, it just seems like a matter of time. Rodgers wants in because the Jets are stacked with tons of young talent, namely offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson, and Sauce Gardner, defensive rookie of the year.
Last season, the Jets had fielded one of the best defenses in the league, and that won’t change. Retaining starting linebacker Quincy Williams, the older brother of 2022 First-Team All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, was a shrewd move considering the Jets need to eventually give Quinnen a longterm, second contract. Picking up a starting caliber safety in Chuck Clark from the Ravens for a seventh-round pick was another nice move.
The offense might need a little more beyond Rodgers. However, nothing matters for the Jets if the trade falls through. Assuming Rodgers is the quarterback, newly-signed Lazard told reporters in New York that he likes the Jets’ chances in the AFC.
“With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the possibility of wins is always a thing,” Lazard, a favorite of Rodgers in Green Bay, said during a Zoom call Friday. “With that being said, it’s really the Super Bowl.” With Rodgers, the Jets become instant contenders, even if his track record in the playoffs is suspect. Without him, they’re the same old Jets. It’s that simple.