Like every team in the NFL, training camp will open in just about a month for the New York Jets, and there are still plenty of questions for the organization to answer.
Whether it’s the expected arrival of a player on a contract dispute, the return of a franchise quarterback to the facility, or simply questions regarding the roster, there will be plenty to watch when it comes to the Jets during camp.
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The Jets have just $6 million in salary cap space, and almost all of their draft picks have been signed. Outside of two lingering questions, the Jets’ roster is essentially what it will look like for the start of the 2024 season.
Now, it’s time to look at the questions the Jets will be trying to answer over the next month into the start of training camp.
Will Haason Reddick Show Up?
This really is the only question that matters for the Jets this offseason.
If the Jets can’t agree to an extension with Haason Reddick by the time camp starts, would the Pro Bowl edge rusher decide not to show up at all?
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It’s a big gamble on Reddick’s part — especially after being fourth among edge rushers for sacks in the last four seasons.
The former Eagle wants a new deal, though, and has shown he’ll sit out of mandatory practices in order to get what he wants. This will be a major question general manager Joe Douglas will need to answer over the next month and possibly into the start of training camp.
Who Will Start at Safety?
It’s the one position group on the roster that is seemingly undecided at this point. The safety position has been one of the weaker units for the Jets since Robert Saleh took over as head coach.
That hasn’t changed either since New York’s cornerback room is the best in football.
With players like Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis, and Tony Adams all competing for playing time, how the safety room fares in training camp could be the deciding factor in the Jets either signing a free agent or staying put with what they have.
Can Will McDonald Emerge in His Second Season?
Jets fans everywhere have overly criticized the Will McDonald draft selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Never mind the fact that the Iowa State product produced more sacks in his rookie season than beloved Jermaine Johnson, that the Jets chose him over a wide receiver continues to make many fans angry.
McDonald can shut those concerns up with a strong training camp and sophomore season.
If McDonald produces anything close to the second season Johnson had last year, the Jets and Douglas can proudly say they did not waste a first-round pick with his selection.
What Does the Health of the Offensive Line Look Like?
For the first time in many years, the Jets will enter training camp with the expectation that each projected starter on the offensive line will be in attendance without any restraints.
For reference, the 2023 Jets did not have that until the week before the start of the NFL season.
New additions like Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, and John Simpson have joined a young group led by Alijah Vera-Tucker and Joe Tippmann. From top to bottom, this may be the most talented offensive line the Jets have had since the Rex Ryan days.
Keeping them healthy, though, will be a major focus. While the group begins to work together, giving off-days to the likes of Smith and Moses (both 33 years old) will be extremely important.
Making sure the entire group stays healthy could be the difference between competing for a Super Bowl or a measly playoff spot.
Does Aaron Rodgers Still Have it?
At 40 years old, time is already not on Aaron Rodgers’ side this season. Making matters even more complicated is the fact the four-time NFL MVP is coming off of an Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2023 season.
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How Rodgers returns once the pads come on will be extremely interesting. Is his footwork as elite as it has always been? Can he move in the pocket? All these are questions that will be burning in NFL fans’ minds throughout the season.
At the very least, Jets fans need to know if Rodgers can still be the kind of elite quarterback he always has been.