How will the New York Jets’ offensive weapons behind Garrett Wilson perform during the 2025 season?
That is one of the hottest questions in Jet land as the start of training camp awaits.
If you ask ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, their performance will be lackluster.
Ranking the NFL’s skill position groups (WR, RB, TE) ahead of the 2025 season, Barnwell slotted New York at No. 27 on the list.
“Garrett Wilson continues to plug on,” wrote Barnwell. “Justin Fields will become the ninth NFL quarterback to throw passes in Wilson’s direction, and without Davante Adams in the mix, the Jets’ passing attack will go as far as Wilson can take it.”
Wilson, set to enter his fourth NFL season, has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in all three of his NFL seasons. Reuniting with his college quarterback this season, he looks to establish himself as one of the league’s most reliable pass catchers.
Barnwell’s concerns regarding the Jets’ offense start at the running back position with Breece Hall, who is coming off a down season.
“The Jets’ other potential star playmaker from the 2022 draft isn’t heading in the right direction,” wrote the veteran reporter. “Breece Hall was able to stay healthy for most of 2024, but he topped 100 rushing yards just once and had more fumbles (six) than rushing touchdowns (five). In a contract year, he will have to fend off Braelon Allen, whose larger frame (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) could be valuable for a team that should build through the run with Fields under center.”
Entering the 2024 campaign, Hall appeared poised for stardom. Just a year removed from ACL surgery, the 22-year-old back delivered a breakout 2023 season, piling up 1,585 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns.
In 2023, Hall ranked 14th in yards per attempt (4.5) among 49 running backs with at least 100 carries. It was a remarkable feat considering the Jets’ offensive struggles, from a battered offensive line to defenses keying in on the run due to inconsistent quarterback play. However, he dropped to 4.2 yards per attempt in 2024, just 29th out of 46 qualifiers.
Barnwell also highlighted the team’s weak pass-catchers behind Wilson.
“Nothing about the rest of the receiving corps suggests the Jets should expect to fling the ball around with success,” he wrote. “Allen Lazard got off to a hot start last season, but after a midseason injury and the arrival of Adams, he was essentially being paid to run wind sprints down the stretch. (He also took a pay cut in April.) Malachi Corley, taken with the first pick of the third round a year ago, had 16 receiving yards.”
With questions lingering around every skill position, the Jets’ supporting cast will need to outperform expectations if they hope to keep pace in a crowded AFC.