Jets’ Braxton Berrios: ‘Three years ago we were completely different’
Braxton Berrios has been with the New York Jets since 2019 when he was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots.
Berrios has personally seen his own stock fly in that time. From six catches in his first season to becoming a trusted target of quarterback Zach Wilson at the tail end of last year.
That effort cumulated in 46 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns for him. Of those, 20 catches, 180 yards, a receiving score and two rushing touchdowns were recorded in the final four games of 2021.
But Berrios is more concerned with the way his team has progressed in that time–And he believes signs are pointing in the right direction.
“I can’t tell you have I excited I am,” Berrios said via the Adam Schefter Podcast. “Three years ago we were in a completely different place.”
The 26-year-old receiver elaborated, saying there’s been a bit of a melting pot going on in New York.
Younger, important players have gotten some seasoning. Toss in a couple of experienced veterans with some more highly-touted draft picks.
The outcome? You’ve got one excited wideout in Berrios.
“Those guys are not even close to rookies anymore. Then free agency, we signed a lot of veterans, a lot of high-level players,” Berrios said. “And then, obviously, our draft class from this year. We have everything that we need. It comes down to executing.”
Naturally the Jets front office led by coach Robert Saleh is hoping for the same. They’ll need to show signs of improvement since it’ll be their second year at the helm.
Like Berrios, Saleh did see positives this spring and he specially sees growth in the team’s youth.
“We have a really young team. Our receivers are young, our quarterback is young, our backs our young, even the back end of the defense is young,” Saleh said via video conference. “I think guys are in a really good place. Guys are obviously further along this year than we were last year. Guys are understanding exactly what they’re being asked in all three phases.”
“You can see Zach (Wilson), he’ll make a throw, and he’s like… [exhales]… he already knows,” Saleh added. “He’s like ‘I know’ and he’ll point to where he needs to go. Same thing with the O-line, D-line, all the way across the board. That’s the biggest part.”
