2022 record: 7-10, fourth AFC East
Playoff picture: Playoffs? The last time the franchise appeared in the playoffs was 2010, a run that ended with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
Biggest Week 1 question: How will Aaron Rodgers look in his New York debut? After 18 seasons in Green Bay, Rodgers slides into a new uniform for the first time in his career when the Jets open the season against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. In his final season with the Packers, he threw for 3,695 yards, the fewest he’s had in a season in which he has played at least 15 games.
What’s new: Rodgers has plenty of familiar faces around him — and arguably more talent — as the Jets signed S Adrian Amos and WRs Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard, all of whom are former Packers. Rodgers also has a connection with first-year offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who served as Green Bay’s OC from 2019-21. New York brought in Dalvin Cook, who rushed for 1,000 yards four consecutive seasons with the Vikings, with a plan to form a two-headed monster with Cook and Breece Hall.
They’re gone: On the defensive line, the Jets lost Nathan Shepherd and Sheldon Rankins, who had 43 tackles and three sacks in 2022. Guards Nate Herbig and Dan Feeney also signed elsewhere, while New York traded WR Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns.
On the money: Rodgers agreed to a revised deal — with a pay cut of about $35 million. His new two-year contract presents him with $75 million guaranteed.
Get to know: The Jets also received the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft as part of the Rodgers trade, and they used it to take edge rusher Will McDonald IV out of Iowa State.
McDonald had 36 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss with the Cyclones last season. He’ll be a welcome addition to a Jets defense that was tied for the seventh-most sacks in the NFL (45) a year ago.
McDonald joins a defense that ranked in the top five last season.
Vegas says: After finishing last in the AFC East in six of the last seven seasons, the Jets have the second-best odds to win the division (+250) over at BetMGM. Their win total is set at 9.5.
–Field Level Media
