Saleh front and center for annual meetings this week
ORLANDO — This year’s offseason for the Jets has been vastly different from 12 months ago.
In 2023, Gang Green was on the cusp of acquiring Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Packers, and there were high expectations surrounding the team.
A year later, the Jets, particularly Robert Saleh, have not spoken to the local media after finishing 7-10 for a second consecutive year. That will all change during the NFL annual meetings this week.
The AFC coaches will speak this morning, while the NFC coaches will talk on Tuesday. However, Saleh did speak to NFL Network and appears happy that the spotlight is not on the Jets this offseason.
“I think (general manager) Joe (Douglas) has done a really nice job adding some really cool pieces to the football team, but, yeah, quiet,” Saleh said about the Jets’ free-agent acquisitions. “Last year was a little loud. We welcome a little bit of quietness.”
Saleh’s claim that last season was loud is selling it short. The year was a roller coaster.
The high hopes came crashing down when Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the season openerr. After a disappointing season, the pressure is on to win in 2024.
Some of Saleh’s silence this offseason could be attributed to the damming Athletic article on how the Jets season fell apart. Not long after that, owner Woody Johnson said he was “mad” about the offensive deficiency.
So the Jets signed left tackle Tyron Smith and left guard John Simpson. Gang Green also acquired right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.
Last week, the Jets also signed former Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year contract that could be worth up to $15 million with incentives. Oh yeah, the Jets even added extra insurance in the quarterback room by signing Tyrod Taylor to a two-year contract.
Those are some of the topics that will be addressed during Saleh’s 30-minute media session this morning. Here are a few others:
RODGERS’ OFFSEASON PROGRAM
The Jets’ season hinges on Rodgers. Gang Green has gone all in to accommodate him. But what will his status be for the offseason workout program?
Teams with returning coaches can begin offseason workout programs on April 15. Since the season’s end, Rodgers has reportedly been back in California rehabbing his Achilles.
“I know he’s getting ready,” Saleh said. “We speak to him often. I don’t want to speak for him, but I am going to speak for him and say that he’s really excited about attacking this season.”
Last year, during the Jets’ offseason program, Rodgers suffered what was called a minor calf injury. Considering he’s 40 and coming off a significant injury, the Jets might decide it wise to take it slow with Rodgers.
ZACH WILSON UPDATE
During the NFL combine, Douglas said he had given Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade. Nearly a month later, it doesn’t appear the Jets are close to trading the former No. 2 overall pick.
Johnson’s comments during NFL Honors certainly didn’t help the Jets with trading to trade Wilson.
“We need a backup quarterback,” Johnson said. “We didn’t have one last year.”
At this point, the best the Jets might be able to do is trade Wilson for a swap of seventh-round picks. If Gang Green flat out releases Wilson, it would incur an $11.1 million dead cap hit with zero savings. If Wilson is traded, the cap hit shrinks to $5.7 million with $5.5 million in savings.
FEELING PRESSURE
Johnson didn’t verbally put a playoff mandate on Saleh. But after three consecutive losing seasons, it appears 2024 will be a make-or-break for Saleh and potentially Douglas.
The NFL, just like all sports, is a result-based business. Last season, Saleh received a mulligan because of Rodgers’ injury.