Ahead of this season, the Jets acquired Jowon Briggs in a trade with the Browns.
In what was not viewed as a significant move at the time, Briggs has become a key member of the Jets’ steadily improving defense.
“It is a blessing and an opportunity,” Briggs told the Daily News about his time with the Jets. “I’ve always looked at it like that.
“Just being able to get off the ball and attack. I just like being able to press the issue on the offensive line.”
In Cleveland, Briggs, 24, played sparingly during his rookie season after registering 13 tackles in six games after he was drafted in the seventh round out of Cincinnati. But Jets general manager Darren Mougey saw potential in him and sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to Cleveland for Briggs and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Briggs started the season as a rotational depth player on the Jets’ defensive line who provided support in both run defense and pass-rushing situations. However, after Quinnen Williams was traded to Dallas at the trade deadline, the 6-1, 313-pound Briggs has become a starter and an instrumental figure in the Jets’ defensive turnaround.
Briggs is tied with Jermaine Johnson for second on the Jets in sacks with three. In the Week 12 loss to the Ravens, Briggs and the Jets defense held Lamar Jackson and their offense to 98 rushing yards. He also finished with five tackles and a sack on Jackson.
“We knew, particularly coach (Eric) Washington, of his skill set,” Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said. “I think, a matter of time, we’re starting to see exactly what we envisioned.
“He can really create some one-on-ones and dominate, which you saw last week, getting a sack, collapsing the pocket, and getting that sack. He’s playing great ball. I think him and Harrison [Phillips] both are just being really solid inside, which has given us the opportunity to perform well on the outside.”
Earlier this season, the Jets defense was among the worst in the league. But with the help of Briggs, the Jets have won three of their last five games following a 0-7 start.
Briggs will be an exclusive-rights free agent following the 2025 season because he has fewer than three seasons in the NFL on an expiring contract. Because of that, the Jets can offer him a one-year contract at the league minimum based on his experience level, and he wouldn’t be able to negotiate with other teams.
“I thought that was a really good move by our scouting department to bring somebody like that in,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said about Briggs. “He’s a big man, he’s strong.
“He’s able to stop the run because he’s been doing a good job of that, but what’s been surprising, and I wouldn’t say surprising, but what he’s had the tick up in is his ability to rush the passer also. We want to be able to utilize that. I’m not saying that he’s Mean Joe Greene or anything like that, but listen, he’s been doing a really good job of being disruptive in the pass game also.”
Not only is Briggs an excellent football player, but he is also a great singer. He served as a tenor during his time at the University of Virginia and the “University Singers” and the a cappella group, the Hullabahoos, a student-run cappella group, before transferring to Cincinnati.
In addition to singing, Briggs also plays several different instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, flute, cello, violin, viola, and harmonica.
“I’ve always sang,” Briggs said. “I was in a bunch of music plays, concerts, all types of solos and duets in high school and elementary school and played a lot of different instruments. That comes from a trickle-down effect from my family.
“My older sisters played all types of instruments, everything I’ve played. My younger brother actually still makes music at this point. So I’ve always been around the musical type of thing and the creative type of thing pretty much my entire life.”
