The offseason program is over. It’s officially summer break for the Jets.
That doesn’t mean this team is off your mind, though. We figured it would be a good time to open the mailbag and answer your questions as the team takes a few weeks off before getting back together for training camp.
Off we go…
Any idea of what style of offense the Jets are running this year? – @KnicksCentral
You’ll get a clearer picture of that come training camp. Organized team activities and minicamp are largely just passing camps. There’s very, very little running absent a play here or there. While Tanner Engstrand isn’t Ben Johnson, I’d expect a similar style to what Detroit ran. Lots of motion with the focal point being the two (in the Jets’ case three) running backs opening up the vertical passing game.
It would be a surprise if the Jets passed as much as the Lions, though. There’s a stark difference between Jared Goff and Justin Fields. But Fields’ ability as a runner will be featured, too. You’ll see plenty of quarterback powers and designed runs with him.
Unlike the last two years, there will be a concerted effort in the passing game to get Garrett Wilson the ball in a myriad of ways. The Jets finally have him running routes that amplify his best traits. A good year from Fields could be a tremendous one for Wilson.
What are the differences between this year’s OTAs and the previous regime’s? – @MyTeamsRTrash
This one was much, much more intense. Robert Saleh had a different philosophy during the offseason. It wasn’t about running guys into the ground or creating this crazy environment. He wanted to spend May and June teaching and installing, then ramp things up once camp came. The vast majority of team periods were scripted installs. There weren’t many call-it or drive-the-field periods. The call-it periods he did have were mostly situational (third and five, second and eight, etc).
Aaron Glenn opened minicamp saying he wanted competition. He wanted guys to get their blood and juices flowing. He did just that by basically having full-on scrimmages (albeit contactless) on Tuesday and Wednesday before dialing it back on Thursday. The Jets had a walk-through install, stretch, individual drills, then call-it periods where the offense (first, second, third) took their turns trying to drive down the field and score against the defense. The biggest difference was that, however the drive ended, the special teams came on.
In most practices (this precedes Saleh, going all the way back to Rex Ryan with the Jets, and Tom Coughlin in 2014 with the Giants), once the drive stalls out, you go back to the original spot of the ball and the next unit comes on. The Jets instead sent out their punt or field goal team. Glenn basically had a really intense game of two-hand touch.
Personally, I loved it. It made what you were observing matter. The players did, too. It was commonplace to see starters sprinting down the field and onto it to celebrate big plays with the second unit. Despite the intensity, there weren’t any fights. Usually those spark in these periods.
That’s a testament to Joe Douglas. Glenn made a point of this during minicamp, too, when he said the roster is filled with good people. That was a priority with the last regime they carried through.
What is the likelihood that Breece Hall is traded if the Jets fall out of playoff contention? – @Israeldms7
The rumors of Hall’s availability were a bit blown out of proportion. I checked in on that during the draft. One team heard he could be had for the right price, but it was a blow-the-Jets-away situation. They were not shopping him.
The Jets falling out of contention early is a fascinating situation, though. For them to move Hall, two things need to happen: Hall needs to perform to the point he’ll net a legitimate return, while Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis show they can be the 1-2 punch in the backfield.
This is the final year of Hall’s contract. The Jets can franchise him, but, remember, they still need to pay Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. If they don’t plan on giving him a long-term contract, and another team comes calling with a Day 2 pick, it makes sense to move on.
When will the Jets cut Micheal Clemons? – @GhostVader50
The opinion of Clemons amongst this fan base is not the opinion of Clemons shared amongst the coaching staff or those around the NFL. He’s a fine situational defensive lineman. The issue last year was that, because of injury, he was a 10-15 snap guy playing 30-plus. His flaws are exposed when he’s on the field that much, but he’s an ideal player to spell guys.
I don’t see Clemons getting cut this year, barring someone stepping up and stealing his spot.
What’s the floor and ceiling for the Jets in 2025? – @MartyLevine
This is a really interesting question. Most people just want a record prediction. The floor aspect of this is the realist part of Jets fans I love. I genuinely believe the worst this team is finishing is five or six wins, if everything goes to you-know-where. A couple bad injuries, Fields struggles, etc. Every team gets a bump with a first-year coach. Even Adam Gase won seven games. The Jets also have enough talent on this team, and a coaching staff that is instilling a dog mentality, where they’re going to fight every game.
It would not surprise me to see the Jets lead the league in one-possession games. They’re going to play ugly, dragging their opposition to the deep end of the pool to see if they can swim. Some will and the Jets will lose. Some won’t and the Jets will win games they shouldn’t. This team reminds me some of the 2022 Giants in that regard.
Which is why that is also my ceiling for this team – nine wins, sneaking into the playoffs, maybe stealing a game there, too, if the matchup favors them. There isn’t enough talent to make a legitimate run, but if things bounce their way, they can make a little noise this year.
I genuinely believe the Jets will be the team this season that no one wants to face because they’re just going to be annoying. They’re going to get knocked down a ton, but keep getting back up. That’s the culture and mentality Glenn is instilling.
My curiosity is if they have the staff (Tanner Engstrand, Steve Wilks) to out-scheme their opponents. That’s the difference in flipping more games than not.
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