I say it every year, and it’s still true: NFL jerseys are expensive.
As much as we love rocking our favorite players’ threads, when it actually comes down to forking over the cash to buy one, it’s not nearly as fun. That’s why unless we’re really splurging, most of us really only purchase one jersey at a time — and when we do, it’s one we plan on keeping for the long haul.
For that reason, buying a player’s jersey can really be seen as a commitment to that player — like buying stock in them, betting on the fact that they’ll be a successful NFL player on that team for a long time. Bad investments for New York Jets fans in recent years have included jerseys like Zach Wilson and Elijah Moore, among others.
But now, with the throwbacks from last year officially being made permanent, the Jets actually have some of the best-looking jerseys in the NFL. So, what are the smartest ones to buy this year?
Jets X-Factor has you covered, as we’ve separated some of the top options into tiers based on a combination of the likelihood they’ll be on the team long-term, as well as their popularity among the fanbase.
Tier 1: First Class
This tier is devoted to Jets legends. The nice part about these guys is that their legacy in Jets history is already cemented. That means purchasing any of these jerseys already means they can be owned and cherished forever without fear of a team change.
The only downside is the fact that they aren’t playing currently, and some people much prefer jerseys of active players, which is understandable. This tier is extensive, so only a few names will be listed.
Joe Namath – Legendary super-bowl-winning quarterback. Broadway Joe’s number 12 will always be a staple of Jets jerseys.
Darrelle Revis – One of the best corners in NFL history and now a Hall-of-Famer. This jersey is just cool to own for any football fan as “Revis Island” was near impenetrable.
Curtis Martin – Best running back in Jets history. In his early thirties, an age when most running backs nowadays are out of their prime, Martin won the NFL rushing title… with a torn MCL suffered in Week 2.
Don Maynard – The best receiver in Jets history. Maynard was Joe Namath’s favorite target and was crucial to the legendary quarterback’s development. It also doesn’t hurt that he was a key member of the Super Bowl III-winning Jets team. Not the flashiest jersey to own these days, but it certainly shows you’re a Jets fan through and through.
Wayne Chrebet – Chrebet can’t be left off this list. He played 11 seasons with the Jets and is still an absolute fan favorite. You can’t go wrong with purchasing his jersey. Side note, listen to Chrebet on Jets X-Factor’s Underdog Jets Podcast with Robby Sabo.
Tier 2: Business Class
Now we can move into the active players. This tier is reserved only for current Jets players who look to be long-term franchise cornerstones. This tier is not devoid of any risk, but these players look to have the highest likelihood of being with the Jets for the long term, making it the safest tier.
Quinnen Williams – Williams, arguably the best player on the Jets, signed a long-term extension just a year ago, making his jerseys one of the safest purchases you can make as a fan of the team.
Sauce Gardner – Did you know Gardner is the only cornerback since the 1970 merger to make first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons? Sauce’s iconic number 1 is one of the hottest jerseys you can buy as an NFL fan, period.
Garrett Wilson – Finally, we can move Garrett Wilson into this tier. The young star wideout was nice enough to let fans know last year that he would be changing his jersey number from 17 to 5 after the 2023 season. Well, that time has now come, and it’s just in time, as number 5 Wilson looks ready to explode with Rodgers under center.
Breece Hall – Speaking of ready-to-explode, Hall belongs firmly in this tier as well. He established himself as a truly rare-caliber athlete last year when he returned from an ACL injury with 1,585 yards from scrimmage. Now a year further removed from said injury, and a top fantasy draft pick as well, Breece the Beast’s number 20 is a top Jets jersey to own.
Quincy Williams – A year ago, I put Williams a tier below this, more due to the fact that the Jets signed him to a three-year extension than to his on-field play. Fast forward to the present, though, and Williams has a first-team All-Pro accolade under his belt. I’d say that’s more than adequate justification for him to move up.
Tier 3: Economy Class
The largest tier. These players come with a bit more risk, but they are desirable jerseys to own for Jets fans. These players are expected to be Jets for the long term, but they do still have more to prove before being considered in the safest tier.
Aaron Rodgers – This might feel too high or too low, depending on how confident you are in Rodgers coming off the Achilles injury, but his status as an already-cemented Hall of Fame quarterback makes his jersey a cool purchase regardless. Plus, that number 8 with “Rodgers” above it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing on the team.
Jermaine Johnson II – Johnson took a huge leap last year as a three-down pass rusher, and by all accounts, he looks primed to do it again. Rocking number 11, this is definitely one of the best-looking jerseys, and it’s important to remember the Jets traded up in the first round to get Johnson in 2022, meaning they’re particularly invested in him. If we see Johnson finally upgrade his game into double-digit sack territory like Huff a year ago, it would make sense to move him up a tier.
Will McDonald IV – The Jets’ first-round draft pick from a year ago once again turned many heads this preseason. Like Johnson, McDonald’s first-round status essentially guarantees him a spot on the roster for at least the next few seasons, but also like Johnson, we just need to see McDonald carry his promising offseason into the regular season before considering his jersey a little-to-no-risk purchase.
Olu Fashanu – The Jets’ first-round draft pick from this year also looked good this preseason. While the perfect-world scenario is that starting left tackle Tyron Smith stays healthy enough to where we don’t really need to see Fashanu this season, he is the future at LT, making him a relatively safe purchase. Until we see him prove his mettle in regular season action, though, this is his tier.
C.J. Mosley – The leader of the defense, Mosley has been a staple Jet for a very long time now. While he’s undoubtedly an extremely smart and effective player, the concerns with buying Mosley’s jersey come with the lack of certainty surrounding how long he’ll be a Jet. It feels like the past couple of offseasons have included questions around his future with the team, and Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood’s developments have come along nicely, not helping to silence those questions.
Still, though, he’s been a cornerstone player on an elite defense and continues to play like one of the best linebackers in the league, making this a Tier 3 purchase.
Tier 4: Flying Stand-by
These players are exciting, but for various reasons, it would be smartest to hold off on purchasing their jerseys right now. This is the “temping, but wait” tier.
Malachi Corley – Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh clearly love Corley, as evidenced by their viral “no matter what” text exchange the morning they drafted him. That, combined with his strong character and on-field talent, is why it feels safe to assume the “YAC King” will have a spot on the Jets roster for the foreseeable future. Still, it’s important to wait and see him in regular season action before considering him a safe purchase.
Braelon Allen – This just feels like such a cool jersey to own. The number 0 is awesome, and the running back who rocks it is built like a linebacker. While it may be tempting to go for it, especially after watching his promising preseason, it’s best to wait and see how he performs in actual NFL game action. There’s also the fact that he’s 20 years old and sits behind Breece Hall on the depth chart. Consider this a jersey that could rise up these tiers rapidly in the years to come.
Haason Reddick – We all just want this holdout to end. By all accounts, though, there’s an equal chance Reddick reports tomorrow as there is of him sitting out half the season. If he gets what he wants and the Jets sign him to an extension, he could be moved up a tier. His talent isn’t in question, and a contract extension would tie him to the team, barring a trade, but until we see that happen, do not touch this jersey.
Tier 5: The Middle Seat
This is the “do not buy” tier. Purchasing the jersey of any player in this tier poses a significant amount of risk, and your money is probably best spent elsewhere.
Mike Williams – It’s not that Williams won’t be good with the Jets, it’s the fact that he’s only signed on a one-year deal. With Rodgers throwing him jump balls, there’s a very real chance that Williams is an incredibly exciting Jet this season, but buying his jersey simply can’t be considered a smart use of your money, as there’s a good chance he won’t be on the team past this year.
Tyron Smith – The case with Smith is similar to Williams: he’s only signed to a one-year deal. Plus, the Jets have already drafted his replacement in Fashanu. While the hope is that the future Hall of Famer has a big year in green and white, there does seem to be some understanding that he’ll move on afterward.
