The New York Jets entered training camp in a massive way, locking down their cornerstone pieces on both sides of the ball. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner both got huge contract extensions.
Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million deal with $90 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, Gardner signed a four-year, $120 million contract with $85 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in football.
The signings demonstrated a positive shift in the Jets organization, as they were able to sign their homegrown players-turned-superstars before resigning them became an issue. That indicates that something within the organization has changed for the better.
Wilson and Gardner are not only two of the best players on the team already, but they are on their way to being all-time great Jets. In the past, there was concern that New York might let these two leave the team without securing deals with them. Instead, the new regime of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn has made sure these two stars aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
They are the best players on their side of the ball and the foundation pieces of this team. Wilson has recorded over a thousand yards receiving in all three of his seasons and Gardner has already been an All-Pro twice in his three years in the NFL. Under no circumstances could New York afford to lose these two, and now no one will have to worry about that; they are here to stay. It’s a huge deal that New York no longer has to worry about the future of these two stars.
Heading into training camp, the vibes around Gang Green were high. A new regime, a new quarterback, and your best players are locked in long-term. With that said, it hasn’t all been perfect for the Jets.
Reports indicate that the offense, particularly the passing game, has struggled. There have been some highlights of Justin Fields making great plays, especially to Wilson. However, there has been considerable criticism about the overall sloppiness of the passing game, with Fields not completing a high percentage of his throws. The receiving room isn’t great outside of Wilson, so that could be an issue with the passing game itself.
We anticipated that the passing game for New York would be a concern, but the good news is that it’s still early in the preseason. Just because they are struggling now doesn’t mean that will be the case come the regular season. Fields could get into a groove as the weeks progress. More than likely, though, the passing game will have its struggles; no one is expecting New York to light it up through the air.
The key to this Jets offense is being able to run the ball effectively. With Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and the ability of Fields on the ground, along with an offensive line that, on paper, should be good, the Jets should be able to have a proficient rushing attack. If their run game can be as dangerous as it can be, that should only make it easier for Fields to have efficient games through the air, especially when targeting Wilson. But the key is the run game; if New York can’t run the ball, then the offense will be in trouble.
The Jets still have a lot to work on. It was never going to be smooth sailing. They are a young team that is starting over after two disappointing seasons in a row that came with much hype. It’s also a good thing for this team because they are now back under the radar; there is no hype, and no significant media attention. No one thinks anything of them. They are back to being the Jets that everyone thinks will not be good and there is no attention or pressure on them.
That’s what this organization needed: a cleanse and to be out of the spotlight. So they can rebuild their foundation and change the culture. I am not saying the Jets are going to shock everyone and be a good football team. What I will say is that on paper, this team has a solid defense with All-Pro talent. They have a strong offensive line with tons of upside in the running game. A star receiver in Wilson and a quarterback who is motivated to prove he can be a starter in this league.
The Jets could surprise people, but they need to continue working hard and getting the little things right before the start of the regular season. The one thing no one wants to see is them be an unprepared, undisciplined team. That will only mean that nothing has changed with Glenn at the helm.
New York plays its first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, in which, as expected, the starters will play. It will be the first time we get a look at Fields as the quarterback of the Jets. He is the one everyone will be looking to watch and see how he plays.
The key aspects to examine for me are how Fields looks, how the running game performs behind the offensive line, and whether there is another weapon that can step up in the passing game besides Wilson. Those will be the key details I look for in this first game.
The NFL season is nearly here, as before you know it, the Jets will be facing Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, there is a lot to work on and get right, especially on the offense.
