Jets' new regime trying different approach that hopefully leads to success
Justin Fieldsof the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter during a preseason game at Acrisure Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Credit: TNS/Joe Sargent
The Jets’ new regime isn’t trying to win the offseason. Maybe this different approach will lead to more wins on the football field, eventually.
This franchise has often made splashy moves that were overhyped and raised expectations that the team couldn’t meet. The Jets haven’t played a postseason game since Jan. 23, 2011.
The past two years the Jets were in contention for the fictional ‘Off-Season Champions’ title after acquiring players such as Aaron Rodgers, Tyron Smith, Dalvin Cook, Morgan Moses, Mike Williams, and Mecole Hardman. They won 12 games over the two seasons.
The first foray into free agency for new general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn hasn’t excited fans or garnered headlines. They’re being calculated with their signings. You can’t fault them for operating this way.
Mougey and Glenn know the Jets are not a player or two away from being contenders. That proved to be a miscalculation by the Jets’ previous decision makers Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, who were doing everything to save their jobs.
The Jets’ new bosses have been strategic in what they’ve done. The first two agreements that they reached were with the quarterback of the defense and a quarterback. Then they’ve added young players with talent and upside on mostly team-friendly contracts.
Mougey and Glenn want to win now, but they’re also just starting to build this roster and trying to establish a culture and something sustainable. No quick fixes. It takes time, and they should get it. Woody Johnson has said he wants to be a better owner and knows he has to be patient.
The three biggest deals the Jets handed out were to quarterback Justin Fields, middle linebacker and defensive play-caller Jamien Sherwood and cornerback Brandon Stephens.
Jamien Sherwood of the Jets looks on during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 19. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Bringing back Sherwood (three years, $45 million, $30 million guaranteed) and adding Fields (two years, $40 million, $30 million guaranteed) were important and necessary moves.
Sherwood proved his worth last season. He has improved each year since the Jets drafted him as safety in 2021 and converted him to a linebacker.
Fields is a low risk potentially extremely high reward signing. If it doesn’t work out, the Jets could turn to a quarterback that they draft this year or next. Naturally, they’re hoping it works out with Fields.
He also wants to prove he can successfully lead a team after some up-and-down play with Chicago and being benched in favor of Russell Wilson following a 4-2 start last year in Pittsburgh.
Fields can be a dynamic player and will bring the Jets a dimension they haven’t had with his legs. He will force teams to defend the Jets differently. Fields is one of three quarterbacks all-time to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
His passer rating (93.3) and completion percentage (65.8) last season were the best of his career. Fields also has chemistry with Garrett Wilson. They played two years together at Ohio State. Wilson, who was unhappy last season, probably can’t wait to reunite with Fields. Extending Wilson and Gardner should be on Mougey’s To Do list this offseason too.
Signing safety Andre Cisco, who is from Valley Stream, and Fields’ old Ohio State center Josh Myers to one-year deals could turn out to really good additions as well.
The Jets needed a starting corner, but the Stephens’ signing raised some eyebrows, especially at three years for $36 million and $23 million guaranteed.
Stephens showed some flashes for Baltimore, but he was inconsistent and had some coverage issues. According to Pro Football Refence, his passer rating against was 106.1 last year and his coverage grade from Pro Football Focus of 50.7. By comparison, D.J. Reed, who left the Jets and signed with Detroit, had a passer rating against of 87.1 and coverage grade of 70.1.
Glenn and his secondary coach Chris Harris must see something in Stephens, who will be targeted often with two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner on the other side.
There still is plenty of work for the Jets to do between now and the draft. The most glaring holes remain on the offensive side of the football. The Jets need to get Fields more help: a WR2 to play opposite Wilson, a tight end and a right tackle.
The Jets could be active in the second wave of free agency or through trades. But winning the offseason doesn’t matter to the Jets’ new regime. There’s no hype. There may be hope that things finally could be changing for the better for the Jets.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
