The Green & White Did Not Strike a False Offseason Note

Jack Bell

A new general manager, a new coach, a new quarterback, an infusion of young players, and savvy moves in free agency and the NFL draft have landed the Jets among the half-dozen teamsNFL.comranks among the most improved in the league ahead of the 2025 season.

"I've loved the Jets' approach since they hired Aaron Glenn as their new coach in January," according to Nick Shook, the site's Around the NFL Writer. "For the first time in years, New York did not strike a false offseason note, at least to my ears."

Still several months away from the start of the regular season in September, Shook acknowledged the moves the Jets have made. Also on his list, in alphabetical order, are Arizona, Chicago, Las Vegas, Minnesota and the Jets' AFC East rival New England.

The Green & White earned a place on Shook's list by "bolstering the defense with veterans like DLDerrick Nnadiand SAndre Ciscowhile using a first-round selection onArmand Membou, who should pair with 2024 first-rounderOlu Fashanuto give the team a nice set of bookend tackles."

Among the Jets' eight rookies selected in late April, the team's "best pick of this year's draft might end up being tight end Mason Taylor (Round 2, No. 42 overall), a polished pass-catcher with the potential to make a difference from Day 1."

For Shook, one of the keys to the Jets' season will be QBJustin Fields, who was signed in free agency.

"The big question mark is Justin Fields, a quarterback who needs to prove himself now that he's with his third NFL team in as many years," he wrote. "Then again, this feels like his best opportunity to do so, compared to previous situations in Chicago and Pittsburgh."

Fields was drafted No. 11 overall by the Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft where he set the single-game regular-season record for quarterback rushing yards and became the third NFL quarterback ever to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. After three seasons in Chicago, Fields was traded to Pittsburgh where he had a 4-2 record as a starter for the Steelers.

The Jets open their 2025 season on Sept. 7 against the visiting Steelers.