It’s hard to imagine a more disappointing rookie season for New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley in 2024. The previous regime’s hand-picked receiver came into the summer with plenty of hype but struggled to earn playing time once the season began.
Now, Corley’s road to redemption has hit its first speed bump. The second-year wideout was held out of Thursday’s OTA practice due to an “apparent injury,” per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t offer any updates on his status.
Corley enters the summer with a chance at a clean slate with his new coaching staff. The Western Kentucky product will be fighting for a roster spot in a new-look Jets wide receiver room.
While he certainly has ample time to change the narrative and prove he deserves a role on the team in 2025, it's safe to say that a spring injury isn't how he was hoping to begin his sophomore NFL season.
Malachi Corley is hoping for a fresh start with the NY Jets in 2025
Corley was once seen as a future building block under Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas. The team traded up to draft him in 2024 and even leaked that he was the No. 4 receiver on their board, ranked ahead of guys like Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey. "No matter what," remember?
But that post-draft hype quickly faded. Corley's rookie season was marred by healthy scratches, minimal playing time, and one brutal fumble at the goal line in his lone major opportunity.
He finished the year with just three catches for 16 yards, and now has had as many jersey numbers in the NFL as receptions after switching to No. 6 this offseason. Still, there's reason to believe that 2025 could be a different story for the young wideout.
What’s changed? The coaching staff. The front office. The vibe around the Jets' locker room. Corley is no longer a roster lock tied to the GM’s pride or the coach’s evaluations. He’s just another guy fighting for a job in a wide receiver room with few established names but plenty of bodies.
Garrett Wilson is entrenched as the WR1, but behind him is a logjam of question marks. Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are competing for reps. Free-agent addition Tyler Johnson, rookie fourth-round pick Arian Smith, special teams standout Xavier Gipson, and Corley are all battling to make the final roster.
There’s an opportunity for a fresh start under Aaron Glenn, but that works both ways. There’s no built-in trust, no excuses, and no promises. For Corley, that means every snap matters. And unfortunately, he couldn’t take any on Thursday.
It’s only May, and it’s possible the injury is minor, but for a player trying to reestablish himself and prove he belongs in the NFL, any missed opportunity feels magnified.
Malachi Corley’s second year was supposed to be a fresh start. Here's to hoping he's able to return to the practice field before long and start making a legitimate impact.
