We are now deep into training camp, and roster decisions will come in two weeks with the season commencing just under two weeks after that.
We have now seen almost four weeks of camp practices and two preseason games.
In other words, we’ve seen enough to start drawing conclusions about the 2023 Jets.
Let’s go position by position with some thoughts on what we’ve seen in camp:
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers has been as advertised on the field and better than advertised off of it.
You don’t need me to add much here. It has been well-documented how beloved he is by the organization and his teammates. What has been amazing is to watch some of the throws he makes in practice. I have never covered anyone as talented as him at quarterback. The throw he made Thursday in South Carolina, rolling left and hitting Malik Taylor on the sideline was one of the most insane throws I’ve ever seen in person. The Jets have reason to be excited about what Rodgers can do this year.
Zach Wilson has had a lot of good days with a few bad ones mixed in. I see a difference in his decision-making and in his footwork. He looks more confident. In the few interactions he has had with the media, Wilson seems at ease with his new reality. He sounds confident again, but you can tell the last year has humbled him.
One other point I’d make on Wilson: Everyone wants to credit Rodgers with any positives Wilson does, and I don’t think that is fair to him.
Wilson has shown a lot of maturity in how he has handled his demotion and clearly is working hard. He deserves credit for that. It is not like Rodgers has a magic wand. Wilson has to take what Rodgers and the coaches say and work at it.
Running backs
Well, the Jets added Dalvin Cook to this group this week and we’ll have to see what kind of role he has.
I did not think signing Cook was a need for the Jets. I see it as a luxury, and I think they would have been better off saving their money in case a player becomes available at a position of greater need (think: offensive line).
He is still recovering from a shoulder injury and his production has declined in each of the last two years. My feeling is the production won’t match the hype, but we’ll see.
I have no reason to believe the Jets are lying about Breece Hall being ready for the season. He has looked good when I’ve seen him running on a side field. I would expect him to be on the practice field soon.
Even if Hall is not ready to carry the load at the start of the season, I think the combination of Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Israel Abanikanda can be productive. You saw flashes of this in the preseason game with the Panthers. Carter looks rejuvenated. Knight has had a nice camp.
Tight ends
This group has not gotten talked about enough. The tight ends could be a major factor this season in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense.
We know Rodgers loves to go to the tight end, and that has been evident in camp. C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert each have had days in camp when they have been targeted. It has been too long since the Jets used the tight ends in their offense aggressively. I think that will change this year.
At the bottom of the roster, the battle between Kenny Yeboah and Zack Kuntz is one to watch. Yeboah is a good special-teams player, which could help him. But the Jets rarely cut draft picks, so Kuntz could get the fourth tight end spot.
Wide receivers
It has been hard to get a real feel for this group because there have been injuries causing guys to come in and out of practice and there are a lot of veterans who have not gotten much time in the preseason games.
Garrett Wilson is primed to have a monster season. Even with missing a week due to an ankle injury, he has been impressive. He and Rodgers already have chemistry.
Beyond Wilson, I’m not sure what to expect from Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Corey Davis and Mecole Hardman. They all are experienced, some with Rodgers, but none of them excite me. Again, it’s hard to get a read on this in camp. Lazard, Cobb and Davis have missed practices because of injuries, and it is difficult to get a clear picture of how they will be used with the heavy rotation in practice.
At the bottom of the roster, it feels as if it is Jason Brownlee versus Taylor for the sixth receiver spot. I give Taylor the edge because of his experience and special-teams skills.
Offensive line
You may have heard that this is an area of concern. I don’t think everyone should panic yet, but there is definitely reason to worry. The tackle spots are huge question marks still.
Duane Brown is expected back soon after sitting out all of camp following shoulder surgery. If he is not on the field next week, then it is time to sound the alarm. You want him to get a few weeks to practice and shake off the rust. I still believe he will be the starting left tackle.
The right tackle spot has been a battle between Billy Turner and Max Mitchell. Neither has seized the job. Mitchell looks as if he is struggling with confidence. Can Mekhi Becton take this job? His ceiling is definitely higher than Turner’s or Mitchell’s, but he has been working exclusively at left tackle in camp, so I’m not sure the Jets want to flip him to the other side. He also has to prove to the coaches he can play a full game. They need him to keep building his rep count. Saturday’s game with the Panthers (27 snaps) was a positive.
Inside, the only question is whether Alijah Vera-Tucker will have to be moved to tackle. If he is, I expect Wes Schweitzer to be the right guard.
Connor McGovern has a grip on the starting center job. Rookie Joe Tippmann has done good things, but I think McGovern will be the starter.
Defensive line
This is the best unit on the team. There is top-end talent in Quinnen Williams and depth for days. Jermaine Johnson looks ready to take a huge step in Year 2, and first-round pick Will McDonald has been impressive.
I know there is some chatter about whether the Jets should trade Bryce Huff. I don’t get the impression the Jets are interested in giving up any of their depth on the line.
I am curious how Carl Lawson fits into all of this. He is currently sidelined due to back tightness. He has been the lead defensive end since he signed his big contract in 2021, but I wonder if Johnson pushes past him in terms of snaps. It feels as if Johnson is ready to bust out, and the coaches sense that. Does he take over as the No. 1 defensive end?
Linebackers
It looks as if Jamien Sherwood will be the No. 3 linebacker next to C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. Sherwood has been getting the most reps all through camp and has done nothing to lose the job.
Chazz Surratt got some love in “Hard Knocks,” but has been out with a hamstring injury since the Hall of Fame Game, so he is not helping his cause to win a roster spot.
Rookie Zaire Barnes is fast and can deliver some hits. He will be an interesting developmental guy to watch. My guess is he has a major special-teams role this year and then is groomed to have a bigger role on defense in 2024.
Cornerbacks
There are no questions at the top of the depth chart. Sauce Garnder, D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II all look ready to build on their strong 2022 seasons.
Beyond that, it gets a little murky. Brandin Echols has done some nice things in camp, but he is suspended for Week 1, so the Jets are going to need to find more depth at the position. Bryce Hall has been injured and out for more than a week now, and I think his hold on a roster spot is tenuous after having three years to show what he can do.
Jimmy Moreland is a player I like to sneak onto the roster. He makes plays consistently in practice and has some experience. Javelin Guidry is another player I can see making the team because of his special-teams ability. He could be the backup at slot corner.
Safeties
Tony Adams is no longer a secret. He will be the team’s starting free safety next to Jordan Whitehead. Adrian Amos will be the third safety. After that, I think Ashtyn Davis and Trey Dean are fighting for a roster spot.
Special teams
This is the first summer in ages where the Jets have not had questions about the kicking game. Greg Zuerlein has been great in camp and the preseason. Thomas Morstead looks like he will be a huge step up at punter from Braden Mann. The Jets never should have cut him in 2021.
I think Hardman will end up as the kick/punt returner, but they are rotating several guys back there right now.
Want to catch a game? The Jets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.
Stat’s so
The Jets open the season in just under a month when they face the Bills on Sept. 11 in one of the most anticipated games in Jets history.
The game is on “Monday Night Football.” The Jets have not won on Monday night since Week 1 of 2018, losing three straight. But new quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrived on Monday night. He has won his past nine games on Monday night with the Packers. Here is a look at those games:
Dec. 19, 2022, vs. Rams (W, 24-12)
22-30, 229 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Sept. 20, 2021, vs. Lions (W, 35-17)
22-27, 255 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Oct. 5, 2020, vs. Falcons (W, 30-16)
27-33, 327 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Dec. 23, 2019, at Vikings (W, 23-10)
26-40, 216 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Oct. 14, 2019, vs. Lions (W, 23-22)
24-39, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Oct. 15, 2018, vs. 49ers (W, 33-30)
25-46, 425 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Nov. 28, 2016, at Eagles (W, 27-13)
30-39, 313 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Sept. 28, 2015, vs. Chiefs (W, 38-28)
24-35, 333 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs
Dec. 8, 2014, vs. Falcons (W, 43-37)
24-36, 327 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
Source: Stathead
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