Training camp has officially come to an end for the Jets.
However, before we look ahead towards Week 1 and the matchup with the Steelers, the Jets have their preseason finale against the Eagles.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn is being mum about which starters will sit on Friday night.
“I won’t get into the who’s or whatnot, but a good amount of starters won’t play,” he said on Tuesday. “It gives us the chance to look at some of our other young guys and give them plenty of playing time so we can evaluate them.”
Judging from Glenn’s statement, quarterback Justin Fields and most of the Jets’ starting offensive unit probably won’t play against the Eagles. Also, anyone with injury concerns will likely sit. That means no Sauce Gardner, no Quinnen Williams, and no Jermaine Johnson.
Gardner and Williams returned to practice this week, but both have been dealing with calf issues. Johnson was recently activated off the physical unable to perform list after tearing his Achilles last year.
Keeping that in mind, here are five areas to watch during the Jets’ preseason game against the Eagles.
CAN MARTINEZ BE QB2?
With Tyrod Taylor’s status up in the air, Friday will be an opportunity for Adrian Martinez to prove he should get consideration for the Jets backup role.
Taylor (knee) is out for the remainder of the preseason after having a knee scope, but Jets coach Aaron Glenn is hopeful that he will be ready for Week 1. However, the Jets had veterans C.J. Beathard and Nathan Peterman in for tryouts last Thursday.
Martinez has never taken a regular-season snap, but he has performed decently throughout the preseason. He has thrown for 266 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in two preseason outings against the Packers and Giants.
What he lacks in experience, Martinez has mobility and arm talent, which is why the Jets kept him on the practice squad last year. It might be a long shot, but Friday is Martinez’s chance to prove he deserves one of the 53-man roster spots.
WILL CORLEY EARN A SPOT?
Malachi Corley entered training camp on the roster bubble. During the last month, he hasn’t shown much to prove he deserves one of the 53 spots on the team.
Not only did the Jets trade up to select Corley in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but they traded up seven spots to select him. He had a forgettable rookie season, outside of dropping the ball before he reached the end zone in a Halloween game against the Texans.
With one preseason game remaining, it appears Corley could be in jeopardy of being released during his second season in the league. He did not play until the fourth quarter of the Giants game and was not targeted. Corley also had six special teams snaps, which doesn’t exactly bode well for his prospects with the Jets.
Unless he can have a Victor Cruz-like performance against the Eagles, Friday could mark Corley’s final game on the Jets roster.
CAN YOUNG RECEIVERS KEEP ROLLING?
Glenn was not happy following the Jets’ preseason loss to the Giants on Saturday night. But he was pleased with the way his young receivers performed.
“I thought B-Smitty [Brandon Smith] did a really good job, and he’s been doing a good job in practice also, and I thought Quentin [Skinner] really showed up. I mean, both those guys are big guys, they both go up there and high point the ball. Listen, I thought it was a good showing for those guys.
Arian Smith, Brandon Smith, and Skinner have all stood out during training camp. Skinner also recorded the only Jets touchdown against the Giants.
Arian Smith, who was a fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia in April, will undoubtedly make the team. But with an injury to Allen Lazard [shoulder], that could provide an opportunity for either Brandon Smith or Skinner to claim a roster spot.
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