Jets offseason stock report : biggest winners, losers..

[jtomm]

• Updated: Jun. 20, 2023, 8:21 a.m.| - Published: Jun. 20, 2023, 8:15 a.m.
• By  Andy Vasquez

The Jets have spent most of the last decade in the NFL wilderness. And there are still a lot of question marks heading into 2023, but one thing is for certain: They will not be an afterthought anymore because they landed a new quarterback. And his name is Aaron Rodgers.We know that Rodgers makes the Jets better in the eyes of just about everyone, including the sportsbooks who made them a favorite to contend for the Super Bowl. But now that the offseason program is over, and training camp is less than a month away it’s a perfect time to take a look at all the Jets-related winners and losers from this offseason.

Here it is, your full offseason stock report for all things Jets.

Local ticket vendors … Trending … up

The new Jets quarterback has been making the rounds since the Jets traded for him in late April, appearing at Knicks and Rangers playoff games at Madison Square Garden, he made multiple appearances at Met Life Stadium for Taylor Swift’s tour last month, and again earlier this month for Ed Sheeran. And he was at the Tony Awards last week.

Jets social media team: Trending … up

No one has had a better (and probably a more fun) offseason than the crew running the Jets social media accounts. First, they already had the offensive and defensive rookies of the year to work with, and Micheal Clemons. Now they have one of the best-known athletes in America in their building. They even found a way to perfectly work in an “I Think You Should Leave” reference from the gloriously cringeworthy Tim Robinson. Keep doing your thing Jets social media team. We salute you.

Green Bay Packers fans: Trending … down

They understandably felt good about the compensation they received for Rodgers after the Jets blinked during negotiations and agreed to send a conditional second-round pick to Green Bay in 2024 that becomes a first if Rodgers plays in 65 percent of the snaps this season. But since then it has been a barrage of reminders that Rodgers is happier in his new home – as he participates in the voluntary offseason workouts he skipped late in his Green Bay run, to taking not so subtle shots at Packers management at every turn like this one: “The last six weeks have been about the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Rodgers said on the final day of OTAs. “It’s fun to come to work and be excited about what we’re doing.” It won’t matter if Jordan Love is good. And they won’t admit it, but this has to sting a little.

Zach Wilson: Trending … up (yes, seriously)

He lost his job, sparking a massive celebration among thousands of people. BUT … he now gets to learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, who is going out of his way to publicly advocate him. There’s a reason Wilson seemed to be a whole lot more at ease this spring than he was at any point in the last two years.

Offensive line: Trending … up

No, the Jets didn’t get a big-name addition to bolster their protection for Rodgers. But they got their most important blocker, Alijah Vera-Tucker, back on the field for all of OTAs after a triceps injury ended his season in Week 7 last year. And they’re overall far deeper than they were a year ago, with the addition of second-round pick Joe Tippmann who could compete to be the starting center, free agent Billy Turner who has experience at tackle in front of Rodgers and the return of Connor McGovern to give them quality depth in the middle. There are a lot of question marks, but the Jets have more proven pieces to withstand it this year.

Mekhi Becton: Trending … down

Let’s give Becton credit for clearly working hard to get into the best shape of his life. Becton looks lighter than he has since before his rookie season. And he’s worked hard to get there after playing less than half a game over the last two seasons. But after watching from the sideline during the offseason program, he faces a tough task in training cap to get ready for the season and convince the coaches he can protect Rodgers when the bullets are live – and it didn’t make matters easier when Becton criticized the coaching staff for playing him at right tackle last year, and posted a (quickly deleted) tweet about his desire to play only left tackle. The goal for Becton at thos point should be staying healthy, but it seems like training camp drama is a possibility now.

CB Sauce Gardner: Trending … up

He learned who Jessica Alba is, made (a somewhat strange) appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and by all accounts is not satisfied with his historically good rookie year. Gardner remains one of the most fascinating players on this roster and how he backs up his start will be one of the biggest storylines of the season.

WR Garrett Wilson: Trending … up

He had more than 1,100 receiving yards last year, despite terrible quarterback play. Now he has Aaron Rodgers. Need we say anything else other than Wilson is a serious candidate to have a monster year.

WR Denzel Mims: Trending … down

Hate to pick on the 2020 draft class, but it just hasn’t worked out for Mims – who the Jets picked in the second round that year. He couldn’t stay healthy as a rookie with Adam Gase, a bout with food poisoning sabotaged his first full offseason as a pro, and he never established himself in Mike LaFleur’s offense, now Rodgers is here and Mims seems almost certain to not be on the roster to start the season. It just didn’t work out for him with the Jets.

DL Carl Lawson: Trending … up

He took a pay cut, but this was always going to be a prove it year for his contract. Now he looks to be back in his pre-Achilles rupture form and poised for a huge pay day if he breaks out the way he and his teammates believe he will.

DL Quinnen Williams: Trending … up

The Jets lost several key pieces on the defensive line this offseason, they are heading into their most important training camp in a long time, and the defensive tackle market has been set. Even though the Jets have control of Williams through the final year of his contract (and potentially with the franchise tag beyond then), it would be a massive distraction if they show up at camp with him still looking for an extension. It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of how close the two sides cut it.

 >>  https://www.nj.com/jets/2023/06/jets-offseason-stock-report-biggest-winners-losers-including-aaron-rodgers-quinnen-williams-more.html