Rough offseason for Jets piling up with free agency looming

A have a look at what’s occurring across the New York Jets:

1. Enjoying protection: Virtually one yr in the past (March 15, 2023), the Jets have been the chosen ones. That day, Aaron Rodgers — simply out of the darkness — made his humongous announcement on “The Pat McAfee Present,” declaring his intention to play for the Jets. It was a franchise-altering, perception-changing second. Instantly, they have been the cool staff.

Now they don’t seem to be.

A tough season was adopted by a tough begin to the offseason, which led to a tough week on the finish of February. The Jets acquired shredded in separate podcasts by one in all their former gamers (huge receiver Mecole Hardman) and a division rival (Buffalo Bills sort out Dion Dawkins), placing basic supervisor Joe Douglas within the uncomfortable place of getting to defend the organization.

“Respect needs to be earned, it needs to be taken,” Douglas mentioned on the mix in Indianapolis earlier this week. “There’s actually nothing to say. Phrases are meaningless. Effectively achieved is best than effectively mentioned. We, clearly, should earn folks’s respect.”

Whenever you’re 27-56 since 2019, the league’s second-worst file over that span, it is laborious to muster a fiery retort.

Hardman, sad along with his taking part in time, ripped the Jets’ coaches (“[They were] feeding me lies”), the tradition (“There is no customary there”) and their post-Rodgers plan (“When Aaron goes down, it is like we do not know what to do”). Dawkins, nonetheless bothered by an in-season scuffle with defensive finish Micheal Clemons, mentioned he “hates” the Jets and known as them a “bunch of dudes that simply wish to take footage on Instagram.”

Some Jets discovered Dawkins’ feedback amusing and ironic, contemplating he himself is energetic on Instagram. Hardman’s remarks hit tougher, prompting a handful of gamers to fireside again on social media. The group felt it did proper by him, buying and selling him again to his joyful place (Kansas City Chiefs) despite the fact that he was a ache within the rear. Hardman himself admitted he brazenly defied his Jets coaches. In return for sending him to the eventual Tremendous Bowl champions, the Jets acquired dumped on.

2. Strain? What stress? The mix introduced the primary alternative for Douglas to touch upon proprietor Woody Johnson, who put everyone on notice after the season. Mainly, Johnson mentioned 2024 is make-or-break for Douglas and coach Robert Saleh.

Douglas mentioned he shares his boss’ frustration. There’s huge stress on the GM.

“The stress is at all times intrinsic on this job everytime you stroll in day-after-day,” Douglas mentioned, “however I can inform you that we’re not pressured.”

You get the sense from speaking to folks across the league that the Jets are considered as a home of playing cards.

“I can see why Johnson is pissed,” a former GM/present personnel government mentioned. “I’d’ve gotten rid of all of them, however he is caught. He is caught with them this yr. [Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett] is finest buddies with Rodgers. The coach, too. What are you going to do? I get why he saved them. If it had been another situation they usually completed like that, he would’ve gotten rid of all of them.”

3. Potential stumbling block: Quarterback Zach Wilson obtained permission to talk to different groups a few potential commerce, however a commerce will not be straightforward due to his 2024 wage — a $5.5 million assure. That is relatively steep for somebody who may need to compete for a backup job. As one AFC personnel director mentioned, “The contract and the cap quantity should be thought-about.”

The Jets in all probability must eat some cash to facilitate a commerce. Failing that, they’ll merely reduce him. In that case, there is no cap financial savings they usually get caught with an $11.2 million cost. Gulp.

4. AVT looms massive: The offensive plan hinges, largely, on two surgically repaired Achilles tendons, belonging to Rodgers and lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Addressing the looming offensive line rebuild, Douglas mentioned they’re in “a very good state of affairs” due to Vera-Tucker’s flexibility. He can play each place besides middle, making him a particular participant. If this have been chess, he’d be a rook, capable of slide left and proper throughout the board.

The draw back is that he hasn’t been given a good probability to grasp one spot. That may change.

“The one factor we’ll do that yr, we’re not going to maneuver AVT round,” Douglas mentioned. “We will have a spot for him and go away him there for the season.”

Ideally, they’d prefer it to be guard, partially as a result of he suffered two main accidents (torn triceps and torn Achilles) whereas taking part in proper sort out. He has missed 22 video games over the previous two seasons. They want him wholesome — ditto, Rodgers — to make the offensive plan work.

5. New pass-catcher for Rodgers? One of many names that certainly might be linked to the Jets because the draft attracts nearer is Georgia tight finish Brock Bowers. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. fueled the hypothesis by giving Bowers to the Jets in his latest mock draft.

Would they actually take a decent finish with the tenth total decide? Up to now 13 drafts, solely two tight ends have gone within the high 10 — Kyle Pitts (fourth, 2021) and T.J. Hockenson (eighth, 2019). For what it is value: A yr in the past, the Jets thought-about a decent finish (Michael Mayer) with the fifteenth decide earlier than taking defensive finish Will McDonald IV.

Realizing Douglas, he’ll handle his offensive line wants in free company, permitting him to draft for worth over want. That mentioned, the protected cash stays on him taking a sort out at No. 10, maybe Penn State’s Olu Fashanu or Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.

6. Eyes on a QB: Douglas made a revealing remark in an interview with SNY’s Jeane Coakley. He mentioned it “could possibly be a really Jet-friendly draft by way of the issues we’re searching for.” He talked about offensive line, huge receiver and quarterback.

Sure, quarterback. Do not be stunned in the event that they draft a developmental prospect on Day 3. The Jets reportedly met with the highest three quarterbacks on the mix. File that below “due diligence.”

7. Heeere’s Robert: After initially planning to skip the mix for the third straight yr, Saleh known as an audible and was scheduled to reach over the weekend. He isn’t there to judge prospects; he has a few conferences lined up. “A few attention-grabbing conditions might current themselves,” Douglas mentioned cryptically.

8. Stretched skinny: For now, the Jets aren’t hiring replacements for Rex Hogan (assistant GM) and Chad Alexander (personnel director). Being short-handed is “lower than ideally suited,” mentioned Douglas, who’s relying on his present workers, led by senior soccer advisor Phil Savage, to choose up the slack.

9. Cash for nothing: They have already got $26 million in lifeless cash for 2024, counting guard Laken Tomlinson‘s launch. It might hit $40 million within the coming weeks.

10. The final phrase: “It will be fairly candy. He is probably the greatest of all time to do it at quarterback, and it might be cool to be taught below him and play below him and hopefully be taught some stuff,” Bowers mentioned on the mix on what it might be wish to play with Rodgers.