The Jets for a second straight year enter a season with Super Bowl expectations.
However, things didn’t exactly go to plan last year. Their future Hall of Fame quarterback tore his Achilles during the first drive of the season leaving QB duties to another failed season of Zach Wilson.
Barring another catastrophe, things should be different for the Jets this year as they have their eyes set on ending their 13-year playoff drought.
Here are 10 things to watch for from Gang Green this season:
AARON RODGERS RETURN
Aaron Rodgers is back.
The 40-year-old is returning from a torn Achilles suffered four plays into his Jets’ career. The return of Rodgers alone is enough to buy into an improved offense and Super Bowl expectations for Gang Green.
However, monitoring how the veteran fares throughout the season coming off of a major injury will be crucial to the team’s success. Even if Rodgers isn’t exactly in MVP form, anything will be an upgrade from the quarterback play they had last season.
GARRETT WILSON LEAP
This is Garrett Wilson’s time.
The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year finally has a competent quarterback and is primed for a breakout season as the 24-year-old is Rodgers’ clear No. 1 target on offense.
Wilson has seven touchdowns in his career combined. He will look to surpass that mark in his third season alone.
BREECE HALL DOMINANCE
Breece Hall will look to establish himself as one of the best running backs in the game.
Coming off of 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 further removed from surgery — plus an improved overall offense — the running back is poised to get stronger and see an uptick in his numbers.
HAASON REDDICK SITUATION
Will he play or will he not?
The Jets traded for pass rusher Haason Reddick in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. However, the 29-year-old is currently holding out for a new contract.
The current situation doesn’t look optimistic for the two-time Pro Bowler to suit up any time soon.
DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE
The Jets defense will look to continue the dominance they showed last season.
Gang Green ranked third in total yards allowed per game thanks in large part to its control of the passing game — second in passing yards allowed.
Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams look to continue to lead another elite unit.
OTHER RECEIVER TO EMERGE
Wilson will get most of the looks, however, Rodgers will need other consistent targets to truly elevate this offense.
Mike Williams and Allen Lazard are names to watch as both have had recent success in the NFL.
Second-year receiver Xavier Gipson may also play a crucial role.
PLAYOFF HUNT
It’s time to end the drought.
The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in 13 years and there is no better time to put that streak to a close than this season.
Gang Green will have every opportunity to win the AFC East as they are arguably the most talented team in the division.
ROBERT SALEH
Robert Saleh enters Year 4 as head coach and owns an abysmal 18-33 record.
Should things go south for the Jets early, expect Saleh to sit firmly on the hot seat.
NATHANIEL HACKETT
Nathaniel Hackett got a pass last season because he lost his quarterback just minutes into the season.
However, the numbers are tough 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, however, the expectations are sky high in 2024.
BYE BYE BELICHICK
At long last, he is gone.
2024 will be the first season of a new era where the Jets don’t see Bill Belichick on the other sideline as Jerod Mayo has taken the torch. The Patriots figure to be bad again and that should be a welcome sight to Gang Green.
