It’s a Jet sweep
It’s a good time to be a New York Jets fan.
At the NFL Honors ceremony, the Jets enjoyed victories for their past and present, with four players receiving honors.
In total, Gang Green had two Hall of Famers, the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and two Defensive Player of the Year nominees.
First, defensive lineman Joe Klecko was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame after his historic career ended 34 years ago. The former Jet was a key piece in the “New York Sack Exchange” and came in second for Defensive Player of the Year in 1981.
THE WAIT IS OVER!
Joe Klecko is headed to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame!! pic.twitter.com/TndnZlSj2p
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 10, 2023
In 2021, Pro Football Reference revealed sack statistics from 1960-81, which were previously unknown. This revealed that Klecko actually had 20.5 sacks in 1981, joining Mark Gastineau (20) as the only pair of teammates ever to hit the 20-sack threshold in the same season.
In recognition of more recent Jets history, Darrelle Revis was voted into the Hall of Fame on his first attempt, an honor reserved for the league’s true GOATs.
The ULTIMATE shutdown corner.@Revis24 | #NFLHonors on NBC pic.twitter.com/BsQ0BSRKpz
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 10, 2023
The four-time first-team All-Pro and 2013 Comeback Player of the Year had arguably the greatest cornerback season of all time in 2009, which earned him the name Revis Island.
In that year, Revis held Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Terrell Owens (twice), Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, and Chad Ochocinco under 35 yards and allowed the lowest single-season passer rating in NFL history at 32.3.
Both Hall of Fame nods are well deserved. Klecko’s is also long overdue.
While it was a good day for the Jets’ past, it was also a great day for their present and future.
Rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner won Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, respectively.
Wilson had an excellent season in which he led all rookies in catches (83) and yards (1,103). His most impressive trait was running after the catch, as his 22 forced missed tackles were second among all wide receivers.
Garrett Wilson is 7th in rookie receiving yards since 2000 with 1103.
Here is the Top 12:
Ja’Marr Chase
Justin Jefferson
Anquan Boldin
Odell Beckham Jr
Michael Clayton
Michael Thomas
Garrett Wilson
Amari Cooper
AJ Green
AJ Brown
Mike Evans
Keenan AllenElite company #Jets pic.twitter.com/Ep5FmgKyww
— Stefan Stelling (@li_jets) February 10, 2023
Wilson has already established himself as a top wide receiver despite playing with three different quarterbacks who ranked near the bottom of the league in every major category.
Meanwhile, Sauce exceeded all the sky-high expectations set for him after being selected fourth overall. In his first season, he was undeniably a top-five cornerback and has a strong case as the best in the NFL.
Among 82 cornerbacks with at least 500 snaps, he allowed the fewest yards per cover snap (0.52), the lowest passer rating (52.5), and the lowest completion percentage (45.2%) while averaging the most pass breakups per target (0.192).
Using Pro Football Focus’s stats, his season was comparable to Stephon Gilmore’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
Sauce Gardner Vs DPOY Stephon Gilmore
Yards/Snap: 0.54 vs 0.99
Yards/Target: 4.7 vs 6.5
Targets/Snap: 11.4% vs 15.3%
PBUs/Target: 19.2% vs 13.5%
Passer Rating Allowed: 52.5 vs 47.4
Completion % Allowed: 45.2% vs 49.0%8th DPOY voting as a rookie. Sauce Island 🏝 #Jets
— Stefan Stelling (@li_jets) February 10, 2023
However, it was still a surprise to see him receive a second and third-place vote for Defensive Player of the Year. Overall, he finished eighth among ten total players who received votes. Just ahead of him is another Jets player who had a spectacular season in his own right.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was one of only four players to receive a first-place vote.
AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting breakdown:
5 points for 1st; 3 points for 2nd; 1 point for 3rd.
First-place votes:
1. Nick Bosa – 46
2. Micah Parsons – 0
3. Chris Jones – 1
4. Haason Reddick – 2
7. Quinnen Williams – 1 pic.twitter.com/fM8Z6JqJyV— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 10, 2023
In his fourth season, Quinnen finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting, as he was second in sacks (12) and third in pressure rate (12.4%) among defensive tackles. Few players in the NFL can dominate both against the run and as a pass rusher as Quinnen can.
Jets players have also been giving their teammates love.
Duhhh 🤙🏽😤 https://t.co/Umf4DRMO6d
— CJ Uzomah (@cj_uzomah) February 10, 2023
Proud of my guys fr❤️ Love y’all @iamSauceGardner @GarrettWilson_V
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) February 10, 2023
Proud of my rooks @iamSauceGardner @GarrettWilson_V seen the potential from day 1! Way to be special and create history both Rookies of the Year
— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) February 10, 2023
While the season may not have ended how Jets fans wanted, it’s still good to see the team’s players receive recognition. After a decade in the cellar, the Jets had three All-Pros, four Pro Bowlers, and two Rookies of the Year.
Now, the Jets just need to find a quarterback (ideally, Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr) and fans can start thinking about the postseason instead of awards.
