New York Jets 2024 NFL offseason primer: How to maximize critical campaign with Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets' 2023 season: 7-10, missed playoffs
Overview: Everything went haywire just four plays into the season when prized trade acquisition and quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down for the season with a torn Achilles. The Jets never found a solution at QB and the resulting anemic offense couldn't support a defense that ranked third in DVOA this past season.
This team is pretty much right where it was entering last season, only Rodgers is now 40 and coming off a serious injury. Even if the four-time MVP returns to full form, the Jets need to fill serious holes in the offensive line and wide receivers rooms to fix one of the worst units in the league.
Key free agents
EDGE Bryce Huff
DE Carl Lawson
OT Mekhi Becton
WR Randall Cobb
DT Quinton Jefferson
K Greg Zuerlein (re-signed)
Who's in/out: Huff was a certified hit in New York, recording 10 sacks in 2023, his fourth year as a pro after going undrafted in 2020. Unfortunately, his market was too rich for the Jets' blood as he's off to the Philadelphia Eagles after reportedly reaching a three-year, $51.1 million deal. It might be more realistic for the Jets to bring back a player like Jefferson on cheaper deals, while Lawson, Becton and Cobb simply haven't been effective players.
Key free-agent needs
Offensive tackle
Offensive guard
Wide receiver
Safety
Why the holes? There's no sugarcoating it: The offensive line has been a mess. Becton, a former first-round draft pick, has struggled at left tackle and two other starters, Connor McGovern and Alijah Vera-Tucker, suffered season-ending injuries this past campaign. The team will likely have to add multiple players to this unit, whether through free agency or the draft. They started with the signing of John Simpson, on a two-year deal, per NFL Network. Hours before the official opening of free agency, the Jets traded for lineman Moses Morgan. And on receiver side, the team needs another reliable weapon outside of Garrett Wilson. One thing Jets fans won't have to worry too much about: QB insurance for Rodgers. New York reportedly signed Tyrod Taylor to a two-year deal as a backup.
Do they have the money? They have some of it. The Jets have $24.4 million in projected salary-cap space, per Spotrac, and they can make more room with restructures and cuts so they can bolster the offense around Rodgers. They can’t afford to be passive this offseason given Rodgers' age and the amount of draft capital the team gave up to get him.
Potential notable cuts
WR C.J. Uzomah
DE John Franklin-Myers
Why they might be gone: The team will reportedly release guard Laken Tomlinson to save roughly $8.1 million in cap money. They'll also reportedly release Uzomah, a glaring cut candidate as he turned in disappointing results the past two seasons and would yield $5.3 million in cap savings. Franklin-Myers, on the other hand, has proven to be a solid defender but may simply be a cap casualty because of a potential $7 million-plus savings, according to Spotrac.
2023 NFLPA report card
Draft picks
1st round: No. 10
3rd round: No. 72 overall
4th round: No. 113 (from Broncos)
4th round: No. 134 (from Ravens)
7th round: No. 256 (compensatory)
7th round: No. 257 (compensatory)
Good draft fit
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Why him? Going along with the theme of the offensive line being the top priority this offseason for the Jets, Latham could bring an instant boost to the unit in pass protection, thanks to his massive 350-pound frame, and in the run game with his ability to erase defenders, according to Yahoo's Nate Tice and Charles McDonald in their latest mock draft.
What can move the fantasy football needle this offseason?
Aaron Rodgers turned 40 in December and it's hard to know what's left in the tank after a lost 2023 season. But any version of Rodgers looks like heaven compared to the clown car the Jets rolled out at quarterback last year. Somehow Breece Hall managed to finish as the RB6, and Garrett Wilson cobbled together a WR30 campaign, despite the limitations of Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle. If Rodgers merely has a league-average season in 2024, Hall and Wilson should be fantasy stars; if Rodgers pushes past the league mean, the Jets offense could go to the moon. — Scott Pianowski
