We are just 20 days before the start of the New York Jets’ 2025 season. Before the team can set its sights on the Pittsburgh Steelers, though, it needs to determine who will make the 53-man roster.
Over the last month, all 90 players have worked hard to prove themselves indispensable to their new coaching staff led by Aaron Glenn.
While New York’s young front office and coaching staff have not yet shown some of the traits they will focus on when making some of these cutdown decisions, it’s clear the team has some obvious decisions to make.
After being at camp for the last month, there are some clear distinctions about what the Jets value most.
Important thoughts on Jets’ roster decisions
It’s important to remember that everything said here can change with altered context. An injury, trade, or surprise cut from another team could alter New York’s plans for the 53-man roster.
As of now, though, it seems like we have a pretty good indication of what the Jets are going to do at a few positions.
Decision on extra WR or RB is easy
The Jets may have to make a final decision between a running back and a wide receiver at the back of the roster.
The choice should be relatively simple.
So long as Justin Fields is the Jets’ quarterback, New York is going to have a run-first approach on offense. That means having as many quality runners on the roster as possible will be incredibly important.
There is also the fact that one of those running backs may be the key to unlocking New York’s special teams unit. Kene Nwangwu is an All-Pro returner who showed his prowess as a gunner last week. If the choice is between him and a bubble player like Brandon Smith or Quentin Skinner, the Jets should choose the extra running back.
Never underestimate importance of extra lineman
You can never have enough offensive linemen on the 53-man roster. In the past, the Jets have sometimes gone with eight or nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster.
This time, though, anything less than 10 would be a massive mistake.
New York has seen what happens when the team is ravaged by injuries along its line. Having quality players on the roster behind the starters is a very important step for the organization.
Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Armand Membou will be tasked with working together to create a top 10 group this year.
But Josh Myers, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren, Chukwuma Okorafor, and Xavier Newman will be just as important to the team’s success in the future.
The Isaiah Oliver conundrum
Analysts and fans will debate which players on the Jets’ secondary should remain on the roster come Week 1. Dean Clark’s performance against the New York Giants has some thinking that the UDFA safety could earn a spot. Others, like Qwan’tez Stiggers and Jarrick Bernard-Converse, have special teams prowess.
Throughout these conversations, though, people tend to forget about Isaiah Oliver.
As much as New York wants to field a young team, having a player with veteran experience at corner, safety, and slot would be incredibly valuable. Oliver is a perfect fourth safety for the Jets, while doubling as a backup to Michael Carter II.
He isn’t going anywhere.
Uncomfortable retentions
If there are two players who Jet fans have gotten sick of, they are edge rusher Michael Clemons and tight end Jeremy Ruckert. Clemons has more career penalties than sacks, and Ruckert has struggled mightily as both a blocker and receiver in the NFL.
While fans can be frustrated with both players, they have to acknowledge an uncomfortable reality: It doesn’t look like they are going anywhere.
With Jermaine Johnson coming back from an Achilles injury and no proven blocking tight end on the roster, the writing is on the wall for both Ruckert and Clemons to have a stay on the 53-man roster.
New York will not be a finished product after 53-man roster announcement
No team around the NFL is a finished product once the official 53-man roster announcement is made. There are many cuts, injuries, and movements around the league after the initial reveal.
If a player like Jamaal Pritchett makes the final team on Tuesday, he could very well be cut on Thursday. That is the ruthless nature of the league we all love – and how unfinished the Jets will be even once August 26 rolls around.
