Like any new regime change, there is a honeymoon period.
The Jets are currently experiencing that phase during organized team activities under new coach head Aaron Glenn.
There has been a lot of talk about the Jets’ new culture under Glenn and the players have apparently bought in. Glenn told reporters that the team had 100% attendance during last week’s OTA practices.
Culture changes are always a gradual process, especially for a Jets organization that hasn’t made the playoffs since the release of the first iPad in 2010. Glenn has been through this before, when he served as the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024.
Detroit was one of the league’s laughing stocks before the arrival of Glenn and coach Dan Campbell. But now the Lions are contenders in the NFC after finishing 27-7 the last two seasons.
The Jets hope Glenn can replicate similar results, but it could take some time. Although results won’t count for another four months, it’s time to answer some of your questions in this edition of the Jets mailbag.
What does success look like this season?- @mfinder3
I say this with love to Jets fans, give Glenn time to try and cook. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a team that hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2015.
The Jets experienced significant roster turnover this offseason, transitioning from one of the oldest teams in the league to one of the youngest. The Jets finished with the eighth-oldest roster in the league last season, with an average age of 28 years old. Gone are veterans Aaron Rodgers (41), Davante Adams (32), C.J. Mosley (32), Morgan Moses (34), Tyron Smith (34), Greg Zuerlein (37) and Thomas Morstead (39).
There are only three players on the Jets roster who are 30 years old or older (Tyrod Taylor, Josh Reynolds and Thomas Hennessy). Allen Lazard and Zack Bailey, both 29, will turn 30 during next season.
In addition to having a new coach in Glenn, this will also be Justin Fields’ first season with the Jets, following his signing of a two-year, $40 million contract in March. I saw all of this to say that the 2025 season could be a bit bumpy for the Jets.
Gang Green plays four teams in its first six games, who made the playoffs last year: the Steelers, Bills, Buccaneers, and Broncos. If the Jets can navigate that early stretch, maybe they could win a few games in the back half of their schedule.
Success shouldn’t necessarily be judged by wins and losses in Glenn’s first season. But it will be because Jets fans have been yearning for a winning season for over a decade. Success should be judged by how much the Jets have improved by the end of the 2025 season.
Are the Jets comfortable with their current WR room or do you think they add another body to that group?- @Kevin_Robbins55
There is considerable concern with the Jets’ wide receiver room outside of Garrett Wilson, who I believe has an opportunity to have a career year. Lazard has been a disappointment since signing a four-year, $44 million contract in 2023. To such an extent that Lazard accepted a pay cut from a $11 million base salary to $2.25 million.
Outside of Wilson and Lazard, there isn’t a proven receiver on the Jets roster. They signed Reynolds and Tyler Johnson during the offseason, but neither has had more than 52 catches in a season.
I do see the Jets adding another receiver eventually, maybe in training camp. But I don’t expect it to be a veteran like Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen because, as Glenn has often said, “It’s a young man’s game.”
Antwan, are you expecting a Garrett/Sauce [Gardner] contract extension this summer before the season starts?- @robshannon4289
I’ve discussed this a few times, but yes, I do expect it to happen before the regular season begins. Both Rodgers and Mosley were June 1 destinations, which means the Jets will get $22.8 million in salary cap relief on June 2. The Jets currently have $25 million in salary cap space, which is No. 16 in the NFL, according to Over The Cap.
That means the Jets will have $47.8 million in salary cap space, which would be the third most in the league, behind the Patriots and 49ers. Needless to say, that will provide a lot of flexibility to sign Wilson and Gardner and it would be wise for the Jets to extend them both sooner rather than later.
Are the Jets gonna stick with their current TE room? Would’ve liked a vet to rely on as [Mason] Taylor develops -@li_jets
Returning to my point about Glenn and younger players, I don’t think they should add another veteran at the tight end position. The Jets already signed a veteran tight end in Stone Smartt, who is an effective blocker and can also be a decent pass catcher.
Jeremy Ruckert also returns and figures to play a key role in the Jets’ offense this fall. He already has chemistry with Fields, having played together at Ohio State from 2019 to 2020.
Much like the receiver position, there is a lot of unproven depth at tight end. However, Year 1 of the Glenn era will be a good opportunity to see how many of the younger players thrive or struggle in Tanner Engstrand’s offense.
