Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: What are your major takeaways from the Jets' 2024 offseason?
EA: The most important takeaway is the Jets are healthy. HC Robert Saleh sounded confident that both RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (Achilles tendon) and RT Morgan Moses (pec) will be ready for training camp while WR Mike Williams (knee/ACL) is hopeful that he'll be available when the Jets open the regular season at San Francisco on Sept. 9. RB Breece Hall, who had a remarkable return to action following his ACL injury, could have practiced but the Jets took a cautious approach, so they have their workhorse for the long haul. QB Aaron Rodgers had a strong spring throwing the ball and his command and presence is unique. I like the potential of this offensive line with the additions of Tyron Smith, John Simpson and Morgan Moses. The depth pieces got some valuable work in the spring – Carter Warren, Max Mitchell, Wes Schweitzer and Olu Fashanu will all benefit. Fashanu, the No. 11 overall selection from Penn State, has a pro's body and his development was highlighted in a team meeting this week. Smith, the eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, is physically imposing and a gifted mover. Garrett Wilson and Hall have no ceiling and Tyler Conklin could also be poised for a big year. Already equipped with strong defense and special teams play, this offense should make a significant jump after finishing 29th in scoring (15.8 pts/g) and 31st overall (268.6 yds/g). This could end up being one of the most balanced teams in the NFL, but there's a long way to go.
EG: The Jets have a really cool blend of young and experienced talent to make a run. WR Garrett Wilson, now in Year 3, continues to look like he's improving. To say he looked sharp in the spring practices would be an understatement. Back catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, it will be a lot of fun to see their chemistry on display especially with Wilson, and the other pass catchers, in their second year in Nathaniel Hackett's offense. You saw players operating faster throughout OTAs – Xavier Gipson is a good example of that. The knowledge exchange up front along the offensive line among Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and young bucks Olu Fashanu, Carter Warren and Max Mitchell has been awesome. During practice, Fashanu would frequently be talking with Smith and Warren with Moses. The Green & White's OL is improved from last season and has more depth. The defense speaks for itself. The reality is none of this will matter come the regular season, but the Jets are on the right track with a long way to go.
CH: The Jets are doing everything possible to make a run this season. From the trouble they had with keeping their offensive line healthy last season, they went and acquired Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and John Simpson before they drafted Olu Fashanu No. 11 overall. They needed more depth at WR, so they signed Mike Williams and added a new WR coach in Shawn Jefferson. The Jets also needed to add to their defensive line with Bryce Huff and Quinton Jefferson leaving for the Eagles and Browns, respectively, in free agency; and the trade of John Franklin-Myers to Denver. So GM Joe Douglas added Haason Reddick, Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw. The Jets have bolstered every position that they needed to this offseason. I think the Jets have taken full advantage of the 2024 offseason and now it will come down to putting it all together during training camp and keeping everyone healthy.
JP: The Jets are more prepared to be under the microscope than ever before. It is no secret that the Green & White will be a main attraction for fans when the 2024 NFL season begins. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers returning to the lineup, they will appear in an NFL maximum six primetime games. And with a strong cast of veterans added in free agency, and the cornerstones of the franchise a year older, the team is well equipped to deal with the scrutiny that comes with national attention and lofty expectations. During free agency, the Jets acquired veteran O-linemen Morgan Moses and John Simpson from the Ravens, and signed future of Hall of Fame LT Tyron Smith. No player knows the spotlight quite like the All-Pro Smith, having spent the first 13 seasons of his career in Dallas. Those three – plus Rodgers and third-year players Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall – will play an important role in mentoring the younger or inexperienced offensive players, as they already have during the offseason program. Rodgers said during OTAs: "The coolest thing for me, too, I have the front-row seat to our veterans helping the younger guys. I saw Morgan Moses pull Carter Warren aside the other day and Olu (Fashanu) the same with Tyron." Pair their offense with a veteran-ladened defense that added All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick and got back safety Chuck Clark from a torn ACL, and the Jets are in an ideal spot to, as HC Robert Saleh always says, "keep the main thing, the main thing."
