The bulk of the offseason is in the books and the focus has begun to shift to the 2023 NFL season. Rosters are mostly set and we have a good idea of what teams will look like heading into training camp. So it’s natural to look back and take a look at how teams did during the offseason and if they set themselves up well for success this season.
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus recently did so, handing out grades to each team for their respective offseasons. The Jets were given a “B”.
On the one hand, Aaron Rodgers is the kind of upgrade at quarterback you can only dream of, light years better than any alternative the Jets could have pursued. On the other hand, the trade they had to agree to in order to secure his services seems to reflect that. Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb were veteran receiver additions designed to make Rodgers happy, while Elijah Moore was traded away to Cleveland to make room. Wes Schweitzer can start along the offensive line if needed and helps give them some depth there.
In the draft, Will McDonald IV was seen as a reach by most but has elite potential in Robert Saleh’s defense. He recorded a 16.8% pass-rush win rate last season despite lining up in a more interior spot that doesn’t suit his skill set on almost half of his snaps. Joe Tippmann could start from Day 1 at center or guard, and the rest of the draft featured more depth additions.
In regards to the trade for Rodgers, the knock is certainly the pick swap in round one and the likely first-round pick being sent in 2024. That pick swap may have cost the Jets an offensive tackle, but Monson makes a very good point that McDonald can thrive in this defense.
You can argue the wide receiver room is much stronger than last year. In addition to the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Jets now have more size with Lazard and Corey Davis and a ton of speed with Hardman. We’ll see where Cobb fits into the picture and Denzel Mims is somehow still floating around as well.
One move that could give the Jets another boost is nailing down the contract extension for Quinnen Williams. The Jets did also find a way to replenish the depth behind him that they lost with Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd leaving in free agency by adding Al Woods and Quinton Jefferson plus re-signing Solomon Thomas.
A “B” feels like a fair grade given all the circumstances. We’ll see if it turns into an “A+” season for the Jets.
