Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly excellent for the New York Jets through the first 12 games of the season: special teams. While the offense has sputtered and the defense has had its ups and downs, the Jets’ special teams unit has been a steadying force-and at the heart of that consistency is punter Austin McNamara.
McNamara has been nothing short of a weapon in the field position battle. Whether it's pinning opponents deep or flipping the field entirely, his impact has been felt every week.
In a season where the Jets have often struggled to sustain drives, having a punter who can consistently give the defense a long field to work with is invaluable. He’s not just doing his job-he’s excelling at it.
Roster Moves: A Bit of Shuffling
The Jets made a few roster tweaks this week. Cornerback Samuel Womack has been signed to the practice squad, while wide receiver Brandon Smith-who turned heads in the preseason-was let go to make room. Smith showed flashes during the summer, but the Jets are clearly prioritizing secondary depth right now.
In a more surprising move, defensive tackle Byron Cowart was waived from injured reserve. Cowart had a strong preseason, arguably the second-best DT behind Quinnen Williams, and the team had kept him on IR for months.
His release raises some eyebrows. It could be injury-related, or perhaps a mutual decision, but either way, it’s a notable departure considering how well he performed in August.
QB Watch: Fernando Mendoza in the Spotlight
As fans look toward the future under center, Fernando Mendoza has become the most frequently selected quarterback in the Jets’ simulator projections. He checks a lot of boxes physically-good size, solid arm strength, and flashes of touch on sideline throws.
He’s also shown the ability to work through progressions, which is encouraging. But the red flag?
His lower-body mechanics tend to falter under pressure, and his vision against zone coverage still needs work. That’s led to a higher-than-ideal rate of turnover-worthy plays.
Mendoza has tools, but he’s not a finished product yet.
Trench Talk: Double and Triple Teams Up Front
Let’s give some love to Harrison Phillips. Among Jets defenders (excluding Quinnen Williams), Phillips is drawing a ton of attention from opposing offensive lines.
He’s been double-teamed on over 58% of his pass-rush snaps and tripled nearly 12% of the time-numbers that stack up with some of the league’s elite interior linemen. For comparison, Jeffrey Simmons, one of the best in the business, gets tripled at a slightly higher clip.
Briggs is also getting his fair share of attention, with double-teams on nearly 57% of his snaps and triple-teams just under 10%. These numbers tell us two things: offensive coordinators are game-planning for these guys, and the Jets’ interior pressure is earning respect across the league.
Secondary Standout: Malachi Moore
Malachi Moore is quietly putting together a strong season at safety. His lockdown percentage sits at 47.83%-fifth-best among all safeties in the NFL.
That’s not just solid; that’s elite company. He’s been a reliable presence on the back end, helping keep the top on the defense and limiting big plays.
Offensive Bright Spot: Mason Taylor
Tight end Mason Taylor has been one of the few consistent separators in the Jets’ passing game. He’s getting open on 59.09% of his routes, the second-best rate among all NFL tight ends.
That’s an impressive number, especially considering the quarterback inconsistency this season. You can’t help but wonder how much more productive he could be with a signal-caller who can deliver the ball on time and in rhythm.
Rookie Watch: Membou’s Tough Week
It wasn’t a great outing for Membou in Week 13 against the Falcons. He posted a season-low 44.0 overall grade, allowing three pressures-including two sacks-and struggled in both pass protection and run blocking.
His 48.9 run-blocking grade was his second-lowest of the year. That said, his overall body of work this season suggests this may just be a bump in the road, not a sign of regression.
Around the League: Elijah Moore Finds a New Home
Former Jets and Bills wide receiver Elijah Moore is headed to Denver after being released by Buffalo. Moore’s journey has been a winding one, but he’ll now look to carve out a role with the Broncos as they continue to reshape their receiving corps.
Looking Ahead: A Chance for Payback
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn had some pointed words about the Jets’ upcoming opponent. “We owe those guys,” he said, referencing a previous loss.
The Jets dropped one earlier in the season, and Glenn is clearly eyeing this rematch as a chance to even the score. There’s a sense of urgency and focus heading into this one.
Mock Draft Buzz: Ty Simpson to the Jets?
In a recent mock draft, the Jets are projected to take quarterback Ty Simpson. He’s a big-armed pocket passer who brings poise and sharp mental processing to the table.
Simpson thrives in tight-window throws and has shown he can navigate muddy pockets. His deep-ball accuracy has been inconsistent, but he’s mobile enough to extend plays and keep drives alive.
For a team still searching for long-term stability at quarterback, Simpson offers intriguing upside.
With four games left on the schedule, the Jets have plenty of questions to answer-but one thing’s clear: special teams, and players like McNamara, have been a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season. And as the front office looks toward the future-whether it’s Mendoza, Simpson, or someone else under center-the pieces are starting to take shape.