After rookies reported on Saturday, the rest of the Jets players will officially report for training camp on Tuesday.
They will begin practicing on Wednesday, ahead of the Jets’ preseason opener against the Packers on Aug. 9.
Ahead of Aaron Glenn’s first training camp practice, here are the five Jets players to watch this summer:
Justin Fields, QB
This is a no-brainer, given that the Jets released Aaron Rodgers and signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in March. The Jets are going to at least give Fields a season to prove he can revitalize his career, much like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith have in recent seasons.
Fields, 26, is on his third team in five seasons after the Bears selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During that span, Fields has proven he can be a dynamic runner. But during his lone season with the Steelers, Fields had the best season of his career, passing-wise, after completing 65.8% of his passes in limited snaps.
He was 4-2 as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback before he was benched after Russell Wilson recovered from a preseason calf injury.
During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Fields continued to develop his strong passing skills by building chemistry with Garrett Wilson and other Jets receivers.
Glenn and Jets general manager Darren Mougey are hoping Fields can continue his upward trajectory and become the quarterback many expected him to be coming out of Ohio State. If Fields proves he can be the long-term solution at quarterback, the Jets could be one of the surprise teams in the NFL in 2025.
Breece Hall, RB
Many have expected Hall to eventually become one of the best running backs in the league. However, while he has shown flashes at times, Hall has yet to reach the 1,000 rushing mark during his three seasons with the Jets.
After 2022 draftmates Sauce Gardner and Wilson received contract extensions this month, Hall is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He battled through injury last year after averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which was a career low.
Hall will be the Jets’ starting running back this fall. However, under first-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, the Jets are expected to implement a running back committee system featuring fellow backfield mates Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
Malachi Corley, WR
It is only his second year in the league, but Corley is at a career crossroad.
Gone are Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, the regime that traded up to select Corley in the 2024 NFL Draft. Corley could be out the door too if he doesn’t stand out during training camp.
During OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Corley was sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. The Jets installed their new offensive system under Engstrand, and every day Corley missed during the spring continued to put him at a disadvantage.
Corley played in nine games during his rookie season and caught just three passes for 16 yards. His best-known play last season was when Corley dropped a would-be touchdown just before entering the end zone.
The Jets’ wide receiver room isn’t the most stable behind Wilson, who signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension last week. Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, and Tyler Johnson will compete for the second receiver spot opposite Wilson.
Corley will also have to compete with fourth-round pick Arian Smith and Jamaal Pritchett, an undrafted rookie free agent out of South Alabama. Teams typically keep five to six receivers on their roster, which means Corley is squarely on the bubble.
Brandon Stephens, CB
The Jets signed Stephens to a three-year, $36 million contract, hoping he can replace D.J. Reed, who signed with the Lions in March. With him playing on the opposite side of Gardner, the pressure is on Stephens, who is coming off a subpar 2024 campaign.
Stephens started all 17 games for the Ravens last year, and opposing quarterbacks completed 64.7% of their passes against him. He also allowed the fifth-most receptions (65) in the NFL, and opposing quarterbacks had a 107.4 passer rating when he was in coverage.
Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said in May that Stephens has “to do a better job when in position, finishing, making plays on the ball.” During spring practices, Stephens still had issues with being in the correct position to break up passes and he was consistently slow to turn his head at the right time.
Wilks is confident Stephens will benefit from the Jets’ coaching staff. But it remains to be seen if he is the long-term solution at cornerback on the other side of Gardner. The Jets also selected Azareye’h Thomas out of Florida State in the third round, who could potentially push Stephens during training camp.
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE
Johnson will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list when practices begin on Wednesday. He suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2 last September and did not participate in practices during the spring.
Johnson was expected to be a focal point in the Jets’ defense after registering 7.5 sacks in 2023. On X, Johnson said he will be on the PUP list not because he is not ready, but because the Jets want to be cautious and don’t want to rush his return.
The Jets will need Johnson to return to form and create a dynamic duo with third-year player Will McDonald, who finished with 10.5 sacks last year. Sometimes it takes players some time to fully recover from an Achilles tear. It will be interesting to see how quickly Johnson will begin practicing with the rest of his teammates and if he will be fully ready for the Jets’ Week 1 matchup against the Steelers and Rodgers.
