The New York Jets once again have high hopes for the season ahead. Following a disastrous year following the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers just four plays into the season, the Jets and general manager Joe Douglas worked all offseason to address multiple areas of concern.
On offense, they revamped the entire line by adding left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson and right guard Morgan Moses to protect a now healthy Rodgers and open holds for Breece Hall and the running game.
On the defensive side of the ball, New York added defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw in free agency and traded for edge rusher Haason Reddick who hasn't reported to the team as of yet.
Austin Mock of The Athletic recently published an article giving the one thing that will keep the Jets from winning the Super Bowl. His reason may surprise you.
"Because having an elite defense year over year is tough," Mock writes. "The New England Patriots are the only team to rank in the top five of EPA/play on defense in each of the past three seasons. And you could argue the quarterback play in the AFC East during the stretch has inflated the Patriots' ranking.
"The Jets defense enters the season in the top three, per my model. If the unit were to slide down, even to seventh best, that could too big of a hill to climb for an offense that has uncertainties."
Maybe we're being too conventional in our thinking here, but ... the Jets have a shot at being an elite defense. Period. And to think they don't because they've had one before is counterintuitive to us.
