The 2024 preseason is a wrap, and the regular season is right around the corner. The expectations for the Jets this season are higher than they have been in a very long time. Well, about a year. Entering the 2023 season with a Hall of Fame quarterback had everyone excited. That exuberance lasted four plays before Aaron Rodgers was injured for the remainder of the season. Rodgers is back and ready to go for 2024. He leads what should be a very competitive team this year.

Head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets kick off the 2024 season on Monday night, September 9, in San Francisco against the 49ers. The negative, it’s on the road against a Super Bowl-caliber opponent. The positive, it’s on the road so the Jets don’t have to worry about the turf monster attacking their quarterback’s Achilles again.

Looking at the offense, it’s just about all up to Rodgers. How he fares this year determines how the offense goes. Nathaniel Hackett is still offensive coordinator and has shown in the past that he works well (or stays out of the way of) Rodgers. The Jets also have a much stronger offensive line (though it is very aged and injury-prone). The backs and receivers are stacked with All-Pro potential talent. Health is the main area of concern for the offense.

On defense, it’s hard to find a more complete unit in the NFL. The Jets have All-Pro talent at each level the defense (defensive line, linebacker, and defensive backs). Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has done a great job with the defense, and that should be expected to continue in 2024.

• Defensive Line – Anchored by All-Pro-caliber Quinnen Williams, the Jets defensive front is stout. In 2023, Williams had 62 tackles and 5.5 sacks, with an interception to boot. One of the best defensive players in the NFL will be surrounded by talent, with Javon Kinlaw set to start at the other defensive tackle spot. Jermaine Johnson enters his third season poised to make a statistical leap from the 7.5 sacks he generated in 2023. At the other end position, Michael Clemons is penciled in at the moment. The ongoing contract squabble and saga with Haason Reddick has been a gray cloud over training camp. Douglas told reporters this week that he has not had any recent communications with Reddick’s representatives.

Linebacker – Quinnen’s brother Quincy Williams highlights this group coming off a first team All-Pro season in 2023. 95 tackles, two sacks and an interception could be just the tip of the iceberg for Williams. Jamien Sherwood should man the other outside spot, with captain CJ Mosley playing middle linebacker. The linebackers are a good mix of youth and veteran leadership, with strong production to match. Zaire Barnes and preseason standout Chazz Surratt provide depth.

The special teams of the Jets should continue to be solid as well, under the tutelage of ninth-year coordinator Brant Boyer. There is a ton of experience in the kicking game, with intrigue in the return game.

• Kicker – The Jets have trusted the kicking role to Greg Zuerlein for the third season in a row. Greg the Leg converted 92.1% of his field goal attempts in 2023, with a long of 55 yards. As more of a knock on the offense, he only attempted 16 extra points, converting 15.
• Punter – After spending part of 2021 with the Jets, Thomas Morstead returned in 2023 and had a great year. Again, more of an indictment on the offense, he had a lot of work. He had a career-high 99 punts, for an average of 48.8 yards per punt. While his number of punts should decrease in 2024, Morstead should continue to be a rock for the special teams this season.
• Returner – The abrupt and surprising retirement of returner Tarik Cohen inserted a question mark into the team’s planning. Gipson steps into the role. He is best known for his walk-off return in Week One last season, giving the Jets a 22-16 win over the Bills. Rookies Davis and Corley can provide depth.

The Jets are poised for a successful 2024 campaign. In speaking with reporters this week, Douglas gushed about the roster, including the culture and their ability to mesh as a team.

If you are a real Jets fan, and want to learn about the offense of the team as well with personnel and player breakdowns you can do so by clicking here.

Written by Jason Krom. You can follow him and get more insights by him on not only the Jets, but the Mets as well here on X.