For the second straight year, the Jets enter the season with Super Bowl expectations.
But things didn’t go exactly as planned last year. Their future Hall of Fame quarterback tore his Achilles tendon on the first drive of the season, making way for Zach Wilson, who missed another season.
Barring another catastrophe, things should be different for the Jets this year as they aim to end their 13-year playoff drought.
Here are 10 things to watch from Gang Green this season:
AARON RODGERS IS BACK
Aaron Rodgers is back.
The 40-year-old is returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in four games with the Jets. Rodgers’ return alone is enough to convince Gang Green of an improved offense and Super Bowl expectations.
However, it will be crucial to monitor how the veteran performs throughout the season after a major injury. Even if Rodgers isn’t exactly in MVP shape, anything will be an improvement over the quarterback play they had last season.
GARRETT WILSON’S JUMP
It’s Garrett Wilson’s time.
The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year finally has a capable quarterback and is poised for a breakout season, as the 24-year-old is clearly Rodgers’ No. 1 target on offense.
Wilson has seven career touchdowns and will look to surpass that mark in his third season.
BREECE HALL DOMINATION
Breece Hall will look to establish himself as one of the best running backs in the game.
Following ACL surgery, the 23-year-old rushed for 994 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 and finished seventh in Comeback Player of the Year voting.
A year after surgery and an overall improvement in his offense, the running back is poised to get stronger and see his stats increase.
Haason Reddick’s situation
Will he play or not?
The Jets traded pass rusher Haason Reddick to the Philadelphia Eagles this summer. However, the 29-year-old is currently awaiting a new contract.
The current situation does not seem optimistic for the two-time Pro Bowler to return to play anytime soon.
DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE
The Jets defense will look to continue the dominance it showed last season.
Gang Green ranked third in total yards allowed per game, largely due to its control of the passing game – second in passing yards allowed.
Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams look to continue leading another elite unit.
ANOTHER RECEIVER WILL EMERGE
Wilson will get most of the attention, however, Rodgers will need other consistent targets to really elevate this offense.
Mike Williams and Allen Lazard are names to watch as both have had recent success in the NFL.
Sophomore receiver Xavier Gipson could also play a crucial role.
HUNTING FOR THE PLAYOFFS
It’s time to end the drought.
The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in 13 years and there’s no better time to end that streak than this season.
Gang Green will have every chance of winning the AFC East as they are arguably the most talented team in the division.
ROBERT SALEH
Robert Saleh is entering his fourth year as head coach and has a dismal 18-33 record.
If things go wrong for the Jets early on, expect Saleh to remain firmly in the hot seat.
NATHANIEL HACKETT
Nathaniel Hackett got a bye last season because he lost his quarterback just minutes into the season.
However, the numbers are hard to ignore.
The team ranked 31st in total yards per game (268.6) and 29th in points per game (15.6). The 44-year-old was excused last year, but expectations are sky-high in 2024.
GOODBYE BELICHICK
Finally, he left.
2024 will be the first season of a new era where the Jets don’t see Bill Belichick on the other side of the field since Jerod Mayo has taken over. The Patriots should be bad again and that should be good news for Gang Green.
