Among the biggest questions facing the New York Jets this season, the offense may carry the most weight.
Yes, the defense has its own issues after how rough it looked last year. But the real swing factor is whether the Jets can finally get better quarterback play after years of living below average at the position.
That’s where the uncertainty starts to stack up. On paper, the Jets have people with real NFL résumés in place.
In practice, though, the history is uneven. Some of the names involved have had success, but they’ve also hit some rough patches along the way.
Frank Reich and Geno Smith fit that description. Both have spent years in the league and both know what it takes to win at a high level. But both have also had their struggles, and Reich’s recent work is the bigger concern.
His résumé has already been flagged by The Athletic’s Jets writer, who pointed to just how shaky things have been in Reich’s last few stops.
“Reich’s recent track record isn’t promising. The last time he called plays, in 2023 as the Panthers’ head coach, Carolina ranked 29th in scoring and 30th in yards before Reich was fired midseason.
Before the Colts fired him in 2022, Indianapolis ranked 31st in scoring and 27th in yards. In four combined seasons before that, with better quarterback play, the Colts ranked ninth in scoring and 11th in yards.
But that also means Reich hasn’t led a successful NFL offense in five years.
Still, there’s reason to think Reich could be fine if the pieces around him deliver. Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Smith are the three names that matter most there.
The catch is obvious: getting all three to do their part is a lot easier to say than to pull off.
In Other News...
Jets Fans Have A New Reason To Enjoy Vera-Tuckers Patriots Start
Alijah Vera-Tuckers first game in a Patriots uniform offered a little bit of everything for Jets followers watching from a distance. After signing a three-year contract in New England, the former Jet made his debut against the Seahawks and was asked to handle a new spot at left guard, a move that showed the Patriots trust his versatility even as they reshuffled their line. His opening day came with an uneven PFF grade of 60.7, a sign that the transition was still a work in progress.
For the Jets, the bigger takeaway is that life at right guard has already moved on. New York turned the job over to Joe Tippmann, and the team rewarded that decision with a contract extension, putting a clear stamp on the position change. Vera-Tuckers start in New England may still be in its early stages, but it gives Jets fans a fresh reason to pay attention each week, especially as the old and new versions of their interior line settle into place. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Suddenly Face A Week 1 Question At Slot Corner
The Jets are getting DAngelo Ponds back at a useful time, even if the rookie cornerback is still likely to be eased in. Ponds has resumed practice drills after missing the entire preseason with a calf strain, and the expectation now is that hell be available for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. For a player projected to open the season as the teams slot cornerback, even a limited return matters because the position is often one of the most demanding spots in the secondary.
Ponds status leaves the Jets with a practical Week 1 question more than a long-term one: how much can they ask from a second-round rookie who has not yet played in a preseason game? The answer may come down to how quickly he can handle game speed after the layoff, and whether the Jets feel comfortable putting him right into a significant role or letting his workload build gradually as the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Get An Early Laugh At A Patriots Collapse
The NFL season opened in the kind of way Jets fans could appreciate from a distance, with New England falling 13-10 to Seattle in a game that turned on turnovers and late nerves. Drake Mayes debut line will be remembered less for the promise that comes with a new era and more for the three interceptions he threw, including the one that sealed the Patriots loss in the final seconds.
Sam Darnolds night ended early because of a hip injury, adding another layer to a game that already gave New York followers plenty to smirk about. For a fan base that has spent years watching the Patriots dominate the division, any stumble in Foxborough still lands with a little extra significance, especially when it arrives before the season even gets going. [Read more 🡒]