The Jets announced their team award winners this week, including team MVP, their Good Guy Award and a few others. Some aren’t much of a surprise, some may be for some people.
The season certainly did not go the way the Jets had hoped for, starting with the injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 to the offense imploding. A 4-3 start turned into a 6-10 mark entering the final week of the season. All eyes are starting to turn the page to the 2024 season. But this is a good way to put a positive note on the 2023 season.
Here is a quick rundown of the winners for each award for the Jets in the 2023 season.
Curtis Martin Team MVP - Quincy Williams
Quincy Williams has turned his career around after a rough time in Jacksonville. He has become one of the best linebackers in the game in all facets. Between tackling, stopping the run, defending the pass, Williams has done it all. For his efforts, Williams was named the team MVP for the 2023 season.
Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational Award - Aaron Rodgers
Despite playing just four snaps this season, Rodgers has been involved with the team during games and nearly made a comeback late in the season before the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15.
Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award - Tyler Conklin
Tyler Conklin continues to fly under the radar as one of the more underrated tight ends in the league. He’s going to finish second on the team in receiving once again and has already set a career-high with 605 yards and only needs three catches for a career high in that category with one game left.
Marty Lyons Community Service Award - Justin Hardee
Hardee, the Jets’ special-teams leader, has his Hardee Cares Charities, helping support youth empowerment, education, sports fitness and sarcoidosis awareness — awareness in support of his mother, Estella Perryman, who suffered from the disease and passed away in 2013.
Hardee also continues to give back in many ways to his community, including donating $5,000 in school supplies to the Boys and Girls Club of Newark. That led to Hardee being named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 3.
Ed Block Most Courageous Player Award - Breece Hall
Hall returned from a 2023 ACL injury and has shown why he can be one of the top running backs in the league. Hall has 816 rushing yards and 579 receiving yards with eight total touchdowns. Hall has two games with over 100 rushing yards and another with 95. He has also recorded five games with at least 50 yards receiving, topped by his 96 in Week 16 against the Commanders.
Bill Hampton "Rookie Who Acts Like a Pro" Award - Xavier Gipson
Gipson made his mark very early with the punt-return touchdown in overtime to defeat the Bills in Week 1. Even before then, Gipson became a fan favorite after the “Hard Knocks” clip showing him being told he made the team. Over time, Gipson has become more involved in the offense, taking over the slot role from Randall Cobb.
Not bad for an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin.
Selfless Warrior - C.J. Mosley
The defensive captain once again posted a strong season as Mosley has 145 tackles and has also added seven passes defended, five tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. Mosley is arguably the heart and soul of the Jets’ defense. Even heading towards age 30, Mosley is still a force for the Jets and one of the biggest leaders on the team.