The 2023-2024 Jets have been one of the busiest teams in the offseason. Will it pay off for them as they look to take control of a stacked AFC East?

2022-2023 Results

Last season Robert Saleh and the New York Jets surprised most people by overperforming with a below-average roster and just barely missing the postseason. The Jets were plagued by atrocious QB play all year long and the future at that position was a big question mark.

But one thing was for certain, they absolutely nailed their 2022 draft. Rookies Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson flashed enormous potential and at least gave a bad Jets offense something to build upon. Hall looked like a superstar right out of the gates before going down in week seven. Garrett Wilson continued to improve throughout the season and looked like a legit number-one receiver by the end, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Holding it down on the defensive side of the ball was Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sauce Gardner, who led a top-three passing defense in the league.

The Jets were in the driver’s seat at 7-4 before losing their final six games to miss the playoffs. The pieces were there for them to compete, but it just seemed like they were one QB away. Enter Aaron Rodgers and the 2023-2024 Jets.

Key Additions

QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers will look to be the answer at QB for New York after being acquired via trade with the Packers. The 40-year-old QB is on a one-year deal and it remains to be seen whether or not he wants to continue playing after this season. Either way, he’s the best QB the Jets have had since another Green Bay QB made his way to New York in 2008, Brett Favre.

WR Allen Lazard

Lazard followed Rodgers over from Green Bay and will look to be a consistent number two option in the passing offense behind Garrett Wilson. Lazard had a career-best season last year in receptions and receiving yards, with 60 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns.

WR Mecole Hardman

Hardman left the Chiefs in free agency to sign a one-year deal in New York. The 24-year-old speedster has an opportunity to be one of Rodger’s favorite deep threats.

DL Quinton Jefferson

Quinton Jefferson will beef up the main unit on the defensive line alongside Quinnen Williams. The 29-year-old put up career-bests in tackles for loss and sacks for Seahawks last season.

S Chuck Clark

Clark arrives in New York via trade as the new starting safety following a productive six-year career with the Baltimore Ravens. The 28-year-old missed the entirety of last season with a torn ACL.

Draft Additions

• DE Will McDonald IV (Round 1, Pick 15, Iowa)
• C Joe Tippmann (Round 2, Pick 43, Wisconsin)
• T Carter Warren (Round 4, Pick 120, Pittsburgh)
• RB Israel Abanikanda (Round 5, Pick 153, Pittsburgh)
• LB Zaire Barnes (Round 5, Pick 170, Western Michigan)
• CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Round 6, Pick 184, LSU)
• TE Zack Kuntz (Round 7, Pick 220, Old Dominion)

Key Departures

WR Elijah Moore

Elijah Moore’s tumultuous two-year start with the Jets came to an end with his trade to Cleveland. Moore could never build off a promising rookie campaign in his second season and got even fewer targets.

WR Braxton Berrios

The reliable slot receiver and return man is headed back to Miami after a nice start to his career in New York.

DT Sheldon Rankins

The veteran defensive tackle left for the Houston Texans in free agency after a solid two-year career in New York. Newly-acquired Quinton Jefferson will need to fill the void he leaves behind on the defensive line.

Projected Depth Chart

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson

RB: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda,

WR: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, Denzel Mims (Corey Davis traded)

TE: Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert

LT: Duane Brown, Carter Warren

LG: Laken Tomlinson

C: Joe Tippmann, Connor McGovern

RG: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Trystan Colon

RT: Mekhi Becton, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner

DT: Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, Tanzel Smart, Isaiah Mack

EDGE: John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Will McDonald IV, Michael Clemons, Bryce Huff

LB: Quincy Williams, C.J. Mosley, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Zaire Barnes

CB: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Brandin Echols

S: Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Will Parks, Ashtyn Davis

K: Greg Zuerlein

P: Thomas Morstead

KR: Israel Abanikanda

PR: Mecole Hardman

2023-2024 Jets Outlook

The 2023-2024 Jets look primed and ready for a playoff push this year and I expect them to get there, but not go too far. With the AFC East being as stacked as it is, I believe the Jets could finish second or even third place and still clinch a wild-card berth. I have the Jets winning 9-10 games and reaching the wild card. The question remains, will that be enough to keep Aaron Rodgers around for one more season with New York?

New England Patriots 2023-2024 Season Preview

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