When Jamaal Pritchett signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in the spring, few expected the 5-foot-8 wideout to make much noise. Instead, the rookie has emerged as one of the team’s brightest stars of the summer, flashing throughout practices and preseason action.
Those huge strides have caught the attention of head coach Aaron Glenn.
Speaking to reporters after the Jets’ 19-17 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Glenn raved about the South Alabama product.
“That’s what this league is about. We can sit there and talk about the fumble he had, but you look at the plays he made after that, again, resilient,” said Glenn. “We are not down on that player. It happens, you don’t want it to happen, you coach him on the mistake, but he is the type of player to go back out there and make plays. That’s intriguing to see a player operate like that.”
Pritchett opened Saturday’s game on a shaky note, muffing Philadelphia’s first punt before recovering to preserve possession. However, the UDFA quickly adjusted and made his presence felt the rest of the way.
He returned three punts for an average of 21 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard burst that set up the Jets in Eagles territory to start a drive.
Pritchett also showcased his sharp route-running and explosiveness on offense, finishing the game with four receptions for 54 yards.
Glenn declined to label Pritchett a roster lock, but the rookie’s preseason emergence has forced a difficult decision upon New York’s coaching staff.
