The New York Jets know they lack the depth to compete with some of the top NFL contenders. That is why keeping their stars as healthy as possible is paramount in 2025.
Lacking championship-caliber depth is not necessarily a bad thing for the time being. The Jets are in the first year of the Aaron Glenn era. Showing incremental improvements in key areas should be enough for many fans of the previously five-win team.
Still, any improvements made will likely come with stars like Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and others on the field.
The good news is that it seems Gang Green is walking into Week 1 on Sunday at full strength.
Jets injury update
Over the last few weeks, the Jets had to watch starters like defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, left guard John Simpson, and even the All-Pro corner in Gardner miss practice time with a myriad of injuries.
The good news? As of Tuesday’s practice, all are back on the field and should be good to go for the start of the season. Even former first-round edge rusher Jermaine Johnson appears prepared to hit the field in Week 1.
New York will need all of those players if they are to pull off an upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Aaron Rodgers returning to MetLife Stadium after a two-year run with Gang Green, there is plenty of animosity among Jet fans. They want to see this new era of football get off to a good start.
Having players like Gardner and Simpson back at practice is a good step to ensuring that happens.
However, Simpson’s return does open up one legitimate question on the roster.
What does it mean at center?
When Simpson was hurt, the guard was seemingly replaced by former second-round center Joe Tippmann. The Wisconsin product had the right size to be a good fit at guard next to free agent signing Josh Myers, who filled in for Tippmann at center.
Now that Simpson is back on the practice field, questions will continue regarding who the starting center will be.
In their latest depth chart, the Jets continued to list both Myers and Tippmann as co-starters. Apparently, if the latest chart is to be believed, New York will rotate centers throughout the season.
This, of course, is ludicrous.
Depth chart announcements are never set in stone and can be easily changed. New York has held their roster decisions close to the vest for most of this offseason. They aren’t going to change now – even for a position that most analysts and fans believe has already been won.
Whether Tippmann or Myers gets the start on Sunday against Pittsburgh, the return of Simpson means the Jets have a decision on their hands for this week – one they have been putting off for a month.