All systems go for the New York Jets in 2023. The addition of Aaron Rodgers has elevated the Jets from a fun fringe playoff team to a fully-fledged Super Bowl contender in the span of just a few months. The expectations have been raised considerably. And even though we’re only in year one of this experiment, the pressure is on.
This was a roster that felt like it was a quarterback away from contending last year. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 pick just three years ago, wasn’t the guy – though who knows what the future holds. Even still, the Jets still won 7 games in 2022 in spite of some disastrous play under centre.
This isn’t a team that should be losing 10 games in 2023. The defense is one of the best in the NFL, filled with young and hungry stars waiting to take their seat at the head of the table. The offense will absolutely improve with Rodgers under centre, and his connection with Nathaniel Hackett could be key to elevating this group into an above-average unit.
The goal is clear for the Jets. They want to win a Super Bowl in the next two seasons. But do they have enough in the tank to do it? It’s possible, but let’s dive a little bit deeper into their units for 2023.
Offense
This is where the biggest overall change is coming. No team in the NFL improved a starting position quite like the Jets did. They went from the worst quarterback play in the league to potentially one of the best. Look, Rodgers isn’t the same quarterback as he was two years ago. His 2022 season was fine and physically he’s still there, but it was a Rodgers clinic. The arm is good, and the mobility and pocket presence is enough, but the effort often lets him down. New surroundings will hopefully cure that.
Everything the Jets have done on offense this offseason has been about putting Rodgers in a position to succeed. They’ve brought in receivers he’s familiar with; Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, as well as a dynamic threat in Mecole Hardman, to pair with Garrett Wilson, who could have a monster second season incoming. The running game will hopefully be at its best with Breece Hall back in the fold as well. Hackett emphasizes multiple running backs getting touches, which is why the Jets have been linked to Dalvin Cook this summer. But even if they don’t bring him in, expect to see rookie Israel Abanikanda in some capacity. He’s a home run threat on every play, even if he’s not the most refined back.
If there’s a question mark, it’s the state of the offensive line, specifically at the tackle positions. Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton are in a blood feud for the right to start at left tackle – but both have injury concerns that make them hard to trust. Becton is still just 24 but has played only 15 games in three seasons. At what point do you give up on the talent if the player can’t stay healthy? When healthy, Becton should be the choice to start at left tackle, which opens the door for Brown to play at right tackle, or that spot could go to Max Mitchell or Billy Turner.
With Hackett calling the plays, something he hasn’t shown to be adept at, how does the Jets offense perform? They’ve certainly got the talent to be one of the better units in the NFL, but there’s still plenty of uncertainty, even if they’ve improved tenfold.
One to watch: Mekhi Becton
Defense
The Jets’ defense shined in 2022. They finished the year 5th in DVOA and 6th in EPA while allowing just 18.6 points per game. Everything they touched turned to gold. The secondary, led by the cornerback pairing of Sauce Gardner, the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and D.J. Reed suffocated opponents and made it incredibly tough for teams to pass on the Jets. And with the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL, per PFF, the pass-rush was just as effective in getting their job done too.
Saleh’s defense is tough and in your face. They don’t blitz often and the pass rush is predicated on winning with four guys up front. However, they run stunts often, something Saleh did with the 49ers that has carried over to this defense. Only the Cowboys, 49ers, and Chargers ran stunts at a higher rate than the Jets in 2022. When you have guys like Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers up front, you don’t need to run simulated pressures or blitzes, they’re just players who can consistently pressure the pocket and make life tough for the quarterback.
Beyond them, the Jets have so much depth on the defensive line. Bryce Huff is an underrated pass-rusher and Jermaine Johnson will hopefully take a step forward in year 2. But the Jets also added Will McDonald IV in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with an eye on him being an impact player down the road. This team won’t change too much schematically. Saleh likes heavy doses of quarters coverage, cover-3, and cover-1 in the secondary. It’s usually cover-3 on early downs with cover-1 and quarters mixed in on passing downs. As we’ve seen, it’s led to great success.
Regression is natural and might hit the Jets defense, but they don’t have to be the best unit in the league for the team to be successful this year. The offense will be able to carry their own weight this season as well. However, don’t be surprised if they’re in contention for the best defense in the league down to the final week either.
One to watch: Jermaine Johnson III
-Thomas Valentine
Twitter: @tvalentinesport
Photo: Mark Getman. This image or file is a work of a U.S. National Guard member or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.