PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Jets brass has gone dark since last month’s NFL Combine.
Next week’s annual meetings will mark the first time head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey have spoken since the Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields earlier this month.
Team owner Woody Johnson also typically speaks during the three-day event (March 30-April 1).
Here are some topics Glenn and Mougey will likely be asked.
DO FREE AGENT MOVES INDICATE REBUILD?
During the NFL Combine, Glenn and Mougey indicated that the team’s moves this offseason would be geared toward winning this upcoming season.
“I’m excited for the forward thinking of this group and what we’re going to do as a team,” Glenn said at the combine last month. “We’re here to win now.”
But it certainly doesn’t appear that way from the outside.
Big names such as Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and D.J. Reed are all gone. To replace them, the Jets have added lesser-known players on short-term contracts.
It’s no secret that the Jets are trying to have a quieter offseason after the last two years of Rodgers’ experience. That comes with many holes the team still needs to address, and not a lot of money to spare. The Jets have $20.6 million of salary cap space, according to Over the Cap.
The Jets need help from wide receivers, as well as a new right tackle, tight end and defensive tackle. Safety and cornerback are still concerns despite signing Andre Cisco and Brandon Stephens.
The odds have the Jets at 5.5. wins according to ESPN Bet. Only the Browns (4.5) and Giants (4.5) have a lower over/under total for the 2025 season.
HOW DOES FIELDS GIVE JETS BEST CHANCE TO WIN IN ’25
Fields’ signing is a low-risk, potential high-reward signing. But it’s still unclear if he will help the Jets improve from their 5-12 record a season ago.
Throughout his career, Fields has been an inconsistent passer but someone who can make explosive plays with his legs. During his stint with the Steelers, Fields showed some accuracy improvements. But he was eventually benched for Russell Wilson after he healed from his preseason calf injury.
With Fields now under center, the Jets will likely focus heavily on their rushing attack, which will probably include more quarterback-designed runs and RPOs (run-pass options).
The Jets aren’t in a position to draft Miami’s Cam Ward, the best quarterback available in this year’s draft. So, they decided to take a chance on Fields, who’s 26 years old and has not been in the best of situations with both the Bears and Steelers.
Fields will enter Jets training camp as the starter. But it is still fair to ask if this signing gives the team the best chance to win in 2025.
ALLEN LAZARD’S STATUS?
It appears Lazard and the Jets are in a bit of limbo after the team permitted him to seek a trade. But because of his large salary, Lazard is basically impossible to trade.
Lazard’s base salary is due to be $11 million in 2025. Given his lack of production during his two seasons, the Jets are expected to move on from him.
Gang Green signed Josh Reynolds to a one-year contract on Thursday. Reynolds’ profile is similar to Lazard’s, for much less money. The Jets would create $11 million in cap space if they released Lazard as a post-June 1 move.
WILL JETS DRAFT A QB?
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal earlier this month. But given the way the contract is structured, the Jets could be looking for a new quarterback next offseason.
Fields will receive $30 million guaranteed, but the Jets can opt out of his contract after just one season. If the Jets make Fields a June 1 destination next year, they would add $10 million in cap space.
Because of that, the Jets certainly should still draft a quarterback next month. Many have looked at Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as options at seventh overall, but that appears to be unlikely.
If the Jets want to take a quarterback on Day 3, Ohio State’s Will Howard, Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard could all be options. The Jets do have Tyrod Taylor and Jordan Travis on the roster. However, Taylor, 35, is in the final year of his contract, and this regime did not draft Travis, who is returning from an ankle injury he suffered at Florida State.
EXTENSIONS FOR GARRETT WILSON, SAUCE GARDNER?
The Jets brass was asked about possible extensions for Wilson and Gardner at the combine, but they were mum about it. Both stars are eligible for an extension after completing their third season in the league.
“The to-do list is to keep good young players on the team and add good players,” Mougey said.
Mougey never detailed when they would extend Wilson and Gardner. But the longer the Jets wait, the more expensive it will be for them. The Jets have the fifth-year option in their back pocket if needed, so Mougey could opt to wait until the summer to possibly extend both Wilson and Gardner.