We’re just one day away from the New York Jets kicking off their first training camp under head coach Aaron Glenn.
Plenty of new faces have arrived in Florham Park. New York has a new quarterback, offensive system, and defensive philosophy.
The Jets are hoping those changes can end a 14-year playoff drought. At the very least, they want to end a nine-year run of under .500 football.
Training camp will be the first chance for the group to show they can reach those goals under Glenn and 2025 and beyond. Ahead of the start of camp, there are a few thoughts that need to be addressed.
Thoughts on Jets Training Camp
New York solved all of its major needs throughout the offseason. It secured its offensive line, acquired a strong tight end prospect, and has gotten younger across the board.
Add in extensions for both Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, and the Jets have all that they need to improve off their five-win season from 2024.
Can they do that this year? We have some key thoughts on the matter.
Justin Fields is an enigma
Depending on who you ask, Justin Fields was either very good or very average during offseason workouts. In my opinion, he looked similar to how he did with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout his four-year career, Fields has been an inconsistent passer with a strong ability to run when things break down. If he can figure out how to throw the ball consistently in the pocket, he can be an exciting player.
In a new offensive system, though, it’s hard to predict how strong the signal-caller will look over the next couple of months. He’s still learning, but the Jets are creating a gameplan that will enhance what he does well.
Even so, it’s foolish to think anyone has a solid grasp on how Fields will look throughout training camp.
If he plays well, he can build a kind of reserved excitement for the Jets and their fanbase near the regular season. If not, there will certainly be some concerned fans going in.
Either way, nobody knows how Fields will look. It’s what makes him a wild card and an enigma for the organization this year.
Impact of Referees’ Return
It was something of a surprise last season that the Jets didn’t have referees during their practices throughout offseason workouts and training camp. After having the NFL’s second-most penalties in 2023, the move didn’t make sense. They ended up having the second-most penalties once again in 2024.
Under Glenn, the Jets had refs back on the practice field last month.
I will be interested to see how much of a difference having referees at practice will make for the organization. Can they finally find some discipline? Will they be better prepared for certain moments?
If there was one word to describe the previous regime’s tenure in New York, it was “undisciplined.”
That’s something the team clearly wants to change.
How to Quantify Improved Defense
Based on some metrics, the Jets’ defense was quite good last season. They finished third in total yards allowed and fourth in passing yards allowed.
It doesn’t take long to look at the tape to see how disappointing the group was, though. Despite some strong numbers, New York’s defense was not up to their usual par of elite play throughout the 2024 season. Some reasons for that were due to a very poor run defense and a horrific tackle rate.
Their actual level of play showed up in the defensive DVOA rankings, where they finished 20th (per FTN Fantasy).
These two concerns won’t be solved right away during training camp. Teams cannot have pads during all practices, and it would be foolish to make them full contact right away, especially with a 17-game regular season.
That is why it will be tricky to quantify how “improved” New York’s defense will look in camp. Fundamentals are obviously very important, but it won’t be until the preseason games actually begin that we can generate an informed opinion on whether the Jets’ defense will continue with its struggles or resolve its concerns.
Either way, the Jets’ defense will be under the microscope this year.
Aaron Glenn Coaching Differences
There was a stark difference in how Glenn’s coaching staff acted during offseason workouts. Intentionality and actual teaching increased throughout the month and a half of minicamp.
Will that continue in training camp?
Glenn made it clear following minicamp that the Jets would shift their focus to the coaching side after spending the last few months on instruction. There are a number of different ways that could look over the next few weeks.
How Glenn handles mistakes that are made on the field will also be quite interesting. If projected starting center Joe Tippmann goes through another week of “yips” as he did last year, will New York’s coaching staff make a change?
What about at cornerback? How will the team handle it if Azareye’h Thomas pushes for Brandon Stephens’ starting job?
These are many questions that won’t be answered right away, but Glenn’s coaching style may shape what his response to some of these concerns will be.
Mougey’s Impact
Jets general manager Darren Mougey has already shown that he is willing to do things differently than past executives for New York. The extensions for both Gardner and Wilson only show that.
The next step in showing Mougey’s impact on the roster will come later in camp. Many executives around the league look to poach released players, and some general managers look to make trades weeks before the start of the regular season.
Even once the cut-down is completed, the Jets will not be a finished product. With injuries and the changes to practice squad players, New York can look very different from week to week.
How aggressive will Mougey be in improving the roster in late August if there’s an obvious hole? Will he look to poach players from other teams?
These are questions that the executive will be asked about going into the months ahead.