The New York Jets were one of the most exciting teams in the NFL a season ago despite having an absolutely abysmal offense. That’s all changed now, we think. After years of mediocrity and underachieving, the Jets appear to be, on paper, one of the AFC’s top teams. But what does their season preview have to say?
Everything You Need Ahead of the New York Jets 2023 NFL Season
The Jets’ defense should still provide good results in 2023, but there are more questions to answer this season after key losses on the roster. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’s BFFL joins the team, but hopefully only as a veteran presence and not as a true contributor on Sundays.
New York Jets Roster Changes
- Players Signed
- WR Allen Lazard
- G Wes Schweitzer
- WR Mecole Hardman
- DT Quinton Jefferson
- T Billy Turner
- K Greg Zuerlein
- DL Solomon Thomas
- C Connor McGovern
- C Trystan Colon-Castillo
- P Thomas Morstead
- T Cedric Ogbuehi
- RB Ty Johnson
- FB Nick Bawden
- DT Isaiah Mack
- T Adam Pankey
- WR Randall Cobb
- Players Acquired Via Trade
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- The Jets and Green Bay Packers swapped 2023 first-round picks. Additionally, the Packers received pick Nos. 42, 207, and a conditional second-round pick in 2024. The Jets received Rodgers and pick No. 170.
- S Chuck Clark
- The Jets traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Clark.
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- Players Drafted
- DE Will McDonald IV
- C Joe Tippmann
- T Carter Warren
- RB Israel Abanikanda
- LB Zaire Barnes
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
- TE Zack Kuntz
- Players Lost
- WR Elijah Moore (trade)
- WR Jeff Smith
- DT Nathan Shepherd
- RB James Robinson
- QB Mike White
- WR Braxton Berrios
- G Dan Feeney
- DT Sheldon Rankins
We all waited with bated breath for the announcement of the Rodgers’ trade to New York. For a while, it seemed that acquisition would drag on past the NFL Draft and into the sleeper portion of the NFL offseason. We were mistaken. New York and Green Bay got the deal done before the draft, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Adding Lazard was a solid move independent of Rodgers. The Jets want to have a strong rushing attack, and Lazard is one of, if not the best, blocking WRs in the NFL. But he’s also a reliable possession receiver with a large frame.
McGovern could likely still start at center, but the newly acquired Joe Tippmann should have something to say about that. A week before the draft, center was a massive need on the roster, and now it’s a position of strength.
But Losing Rankins and Shepherd could prove very costly for New York, who didn’t do much of anything to address the middle of their defense. If Quinnen Williams goes down, this defensive interior resembles the 2022 Browns unit, which was practically just some pieces of construction paper taped together to stop opposing runners.
If the Jets’ defense takes a step back in 2023, that will be the culprit.
New York Jets Coaching Staff in 2023
- Head Coach: Robert Saleh
- Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett
- QB Coach: Ben Wilkerson
- RB Coach: Taylor Embree
- WR Coach: Zach Azzanni
- TE Coach: Ron Middleton
- OL Coach: Keith Carter
- Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Ulbrich
- DL Coach: Aaron Whitecotton
- LB Coach: Mike Rutenberg
- CB Coach: Tony Oden
- S Coach: Marquand Manuel
- Special Teams Coordinator: Brant Boyer
The Jets fired Mike LaFleur and replaced him with Nathaniel Hackett, who likely joined Rodgers on the darkness retreat to try and forget his last 12 months, which coincidentally involved the team he attempted to coach striking out on a trade for Rodgers. Hackett has had a ton of success with Rodgers. The Jets’ new QB won consecutive MVPs with Hackett as offensive coordinator.
Miles Austin and John Benton also didn’t return to the staff for 2023 and have been replaced by Azzanni and Carter, respectively.
Predicting the New York Jets Depth Chart
Offensive Depth Chart
- QB: Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson
- RB: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda,
- WR: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, Denzel Mims (Corey Davis traded)
- TE: Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert
- LT: Duane Brown, Carter Warren
- LG: Laken Tomlinson
- C: Joe Tippmann, Connor McGovern
- RG: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Trystan Colon
- RT: Mekhi Becton, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner
Defensive Depth Chart
- DT: Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, Tanzel Smart, Isaiah Mack
- EDGE: John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Will McDonald IV, Michael Clemons, Bryce Huff
- LB: Quincy Williams, C.J. Mosley, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Zaire Barnes
- CB: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Brandin Echols
- S: Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Will Parks, Ashtyn Davis
Special Teams Depth Chart
- K: Greg Zuerlein
- P: Thomas Morstead
- LS: Thomas Hennessy
- KR: Israel Abanikanda
- PR: Mecole Hardman
2022 Results and Standings
The Jets started off by splitting losses and wins for the first four weeks of the season. However, they turned the burners on after that, winning five of their next six games and six of their next eight. Unfortunately, New York lost their final six games of the season to finish 7-10 and miss the playoffs after a promising start.
A lot needed to change offensively. The team finished 26th in DVOA and 29th in the weighted version of the same metric. Zach Wilson lost favor in the organization, but Mike White and Chris Streveler certainly weren’t the answer at QB either.
And that was a shame because the Jets played some of the most exciting defense of the season. Their unit flew to the football, and the additions of Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Jordan Whitehead paid dividends on the back end. New York’s defense finished fifth in DVOA and third in weighted DVOA.
But the defense couldn’t score points for the offense, no matter how hard they tried.
2023 Power Ranking and Season Outlook
The middle of New York’s defense is a bit worrisome, but the rest of the defensive depth chart is sound, especially with the addition of Chuck Clark, who might be the most reliable defensive player in the NFL.
The Jets’ success will likely come down to their offensive output. If they can remain healthy offensively they shouldn’t have much issue moving the ball. The interior of their offensive line is sound, and Rodgers doesn’t mess about getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Breece Hall’s ability to catch passes will only supplement the OL and Rodgers, while Garrett Wilson is a true No. 1-caliber WR on the outside.
The Jets have a ton of potential as we approach the season, ranking fifth in the post-draft NFL Power Rankings. But can they topple the mighty Bills in the AFC East?