“Throw the bomb!” No matter what type of football fan you represent, one of the truest certainties in this life is coming across another football fan who cannot help but scream for his/her team to “throw the bomb.”
It’s exciting, highlight-worthy, and loaded with potential.
Perhaps no New York Jets era had fans screaming for the bomb more than the Herm Edwards years. More specifically, the four seasons following Bill Parcells’s official exit from the organization serve as (what should be) Jets fandom’s reminder that offensive coordinators actually do know what they’re doing.
(Well … for the most part, that last statement is true. Let’s be real: It’s tough to drop such a line when offensive coordinator Tony Sparano wasn’t just a fantastical mind-tormenting nightmare.)
Despite the indisputable ire towards then-offensive coordinator Paul Hackett, fans proudly look back on the 2001-2004 Jets offense.
Screens with center Kevin Mawae leading the way, draws with Curtis Martin‘s vision fully showcased, and middle-of-the-field play-actions designed for Chad Pennington were the calling card for that Jets offense. Despite making the playoffs three times in four years—and winning two games (one representing the organization’s most recent home playoff game, a dominant 41-0 shutout over Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts)—the real-time calls for Hackett’s head and “the bomb” were ever-present.
Hackett’s conservatively plotting nature could be frustrating at times, but there was a key element involved in the unit’s success that most fans could not see at the time. He designed an offense with his personnel in mind.
Most importantly, he schemed up an offense with Chad Pennington’s limitations in mind.
Chad’s accuracy and field general skill set were undoubtedly excellent, but his arm strength left much to be desired. That’s just the way it was, and guess what? That’s the first and most crucial reason Hackett and New York rarely “threw the bomb.”
Therefore, establishing a rushing attack to live off of play-action and timing elements was the name of the game. And it worked. It could be argued that Hackett got the most out of his specific personnel at the given time, despite some shortcomings that are a reality via human nature.
Fullback Richie Anderson caught a plethora of balls out of the backfield, Martin won his only rushing title (2004), Mawae pulled out in space as a center, and Pennington destroyed defenses in the middle of the field, with Laveranues Coles, Santana Moss, and Jets X-Factor’s own Wayne Chrebet constituting a healthy trio of wideouts.
Although the names differ two decades later, the idea remains the same. New York Jets young offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand aims to construct an offense that suits his players.
Fortunately for Aaron Glenn‘s offensive boss, Jet X is willing to toss a few ideas out there. Admittedly unsolicited and obnoxiously presumptuous, let’s dig into some formations that would suit the New York Jets offense in 2025.
Note: None of the following formations or concepts were observed at New York Jets OTAs. These are merely suggested formations that make sense when considering the team’s projected offensive philosophy and personnel.
Gun Empty 3×2 (11 Personnel)
Why would it be wise for the New York Jets to deploy empty sets in 2025? It’s pretty simple: It provides the quarterback a much better look at the defensive coverage pre-snap.
Trotting out an empty look in 11 personnel allows Breece Hall a chance to win in a 1v1 situation. It also features versatility for him to motion into a one-back look (start wide, motion into the backfield, which is a standard set that helps the quarterback get a feel for man vs. zone).
If the outside cornerback stays home on the most outside weapon (i.e., Breece), then Justin Fields can expect zone coverage. Man coverage can be assumed if a linebacker or safety travels with Breece as a wideout.
Plus, expect more empty-gun sets with this type of quarterback. Let’s be real: Fields won’t just run the ball this year; he will take off a lot.
Not only that, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Glenn and Engstrand will encourage Fields to take off and run as much as possible. And that’s on top of the quarterback-designed rush concepts that will undoubtedly be showcased.
Twin TE Singleback (12 Personnel)
Next is a formation that could easily be a staple in Engstrand’s 12-personnel grouping. The key concerns the contrasting nature of the Jets’ top two tight ends.
Jeremy Ruckert is the inline tight end in this twin TE singleback look, whereas Mason Taylor is the off-TE. Despite his poor run-blocking grade from PFF last season, the assumption is that Ruckert enters the season as the better traditional run blocker of the two.
Rookie Mason Taylor serves as the off-TE. This way, the Jets can utilize him in flast/sifting scenarios that require a kick-out on the weak side or an underneath/flat route concept via play-action.
Several designs exist that can ultimately feature Fields and Taylor playing the two-man game with a run-pass option in real time (i.e., split-zone play-action boot with Fields off the edge, having the option to take off with the ball or find Taylor in the flat area).
H-Weak I Stack (21 Personnel)
Although the H-Weak I Stack formation has 21 personnel tagged, this could also be run with 12 personnel. Instead of a potential fullback manning down the weakside H-back (perhaps Andrew Beck), Ruckert could assume that spot.
Considering the stack on the left side, Taylor—assuming he’s the starting tight end—will have to be inline on the right side. If the wideouts are balanced, this H-Weak I look could deploy an off-TE that works off of the H-back (having two potential sifting kickouts, each lined up on one side).
This look would predominantly feature some of the Jets’ more traditional rush concepts for Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isiah Davis.
Oh, and by the way, expect all three Jets’ backs to receive plenty of work this season. Referencing the gun empty look listed first on this page, Engstrand will have a plethora of sets that feature Hall as a pass-catching weapon in 2025.
Gun Weak Offset 2×2 TE Off (12 Personnel)
Here’s another look that can deploy a couple of different personnel sets. Usually, the balanced, 2×2 look—with a tight end position in its usual placement—features 11 personnel.
However, considering the Jets’ eagerness to rush the ball and their willingness to get Mason Taylor or Breece Hall in space, 12 or even 21 personnel (Breece at receiver and Allen as the lone back) can be deployed. As seen above, placing Taylor in the slot forces the defense to stretch out a bit if they’re stubborn enough to play two-high.
If they decide to go solo-high (middle-field closed) to defend the run, a linebacker or safety is still forced to walk out to Taylor. If they decide to match with nickel, Taylor would have a huge blocking advantage—provided he can handle it well enough in space.
This look could be utilized when read options and/or zone reads are wanted. Imagine Braelon Allen hitting the hole hard, working a north-south downhill action, whereas Justin Fields works off of him via an east-west threat.
Gun Split Offset Open (23 Personnel)
Lastly, the Gun Split Offset Open look with 23 personnel gives the quarterback and offensive coordinator plenty of versatility.
Think orbit motion with Breece Hall or even Arian Smith, who could initially line up as a back, only to go in motion quickly. Smith could also be a dangerous jet-motion weapon in this specific look.
Plus, this look allows Justin Fields and the two backs the imagination to make life miserable for defenses.
Any number of zone reads and RPOs can be called, as having a back on each side makes for intriguing opportunities.