jtomm Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Jets depth chart projection: Breaking down Aaron Rodgers and his weapons in new-look offense Published: Jun. 27, 2023 The Jets have their new quarterback. And suddenly they have to deal with the weight of serious expectations — everyone from Vegas to their own locker room is expecting them to contend for a playoff spot as they prepare for their first season with future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers.It won’t be easy, as teams will certainly be viewing the Jets as a team with a target on their back – given the new external and internal hopes emanating out of 1 Jets Drive. But general manager Joe Douglas still has some work to do in the coming weeks to make he has the talent and depth to live up to the team’s billing as a potential Super Bowl contender. So how will the Jets fit it all together? And what are their biggest question marks as the offseason progresses ? Here’s a look at the depth chart and big questions facing every position, starting with the offense. QUARTERBACK Starter: Aaron Rodgers Backup: Zach Wilson Projected cuts: Tim Boyle (practice squad), Chris Streveler (PS) Big decision: It seemed highly unlikely the Jets would roll with Wilson as their backup after how poorly things went for him at the end of last season. But Rodgers seems genuinely interested in his development, which opens the door if he plays well in camp in the preseason. But will the Jets try to move him for something of value if Wilson does show something in training camp or the preseason? They would be wise to consider it. RUNNING BACK Starters: Breece Hall, Nick Bawden (fullback) Backups: Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda Projected cuts: Zonovan Knight (PS), Travis Dye Big decision: The Jets are likely to keep Hall on a pitch count early in the season, as he returns less than 11 months after a torn ACL that cut short his brilliant rookie season. Will the Jets roll with Carter and Abanikanda or add a proven veteran at this position? WIDE RECEIVER Starters: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, MeCole Hardman (slot Backups: Corey Davis, Randall Cobb (slot) Projected cuts: Denzel Mims, Diontae Spencer, Malik Taylor Jason Brownlee (PS), Irvin Charles (PS), Xavier Gipson (PS), Jerome Kapp, T.J. Luther, Big decision: We’ve reached the end of the road for Mims, who whas already having a hard enough time cracking the receiver rotation before Rodgers brought in some of his friends. Mims has remained a professional despite his unhappiness with his role and the Jets should release him … unless, they decide to move on from Corey Davis as well which could save they $10.5 million in cap space. TIGHT END Starters: Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah Backups: Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah Projected cuts: Zach Kuntz (PS), E.J. Jenkins, Isaiah Gathings Big decision: Conklin and Uzomah are the clear top dogs here, but how the Jets utilize their backups will be interesting. We expect Kuntz to make the initial roster before spending the early part of the season on the practice squad; but the big question is if Ruckert can take a step in the right direction after injuries sabotaged his rookie season. OFFENSIVE LINE Starters: Duane Brown (LT), Laken Tomlinson (LG), Joe Tippmann (C), Alijah Vera-Tucker (RG), Billy Turner Backups: Mekhi Becton (T), Carter Warren (T), Connor McGovern (C/G), Max Mitchell (T), Wes Schweitzer (IOL), Brent Laing Projected cuts: Greg Senat (PS), Adam Pankey (PS), Trystan Colon (PS) Chris Glaser, Big decision: The Jets have options and big question marks at both tackle positions and center. Tippmann should be a plug-and-play option as a second-round pick, so expect him to start unless he struggles in camp and the preseason. The big decision is at left and right tackle, where Becton is trying to get back on the field for his first game in nearly two years. Becton has made it clear he wants to play left tackle, but Brown hasn’t played any other position in his first 16 NFL seasons and is on track to return after playing well last year despite a serious shoulder injury. Ultimately, it will be tough for Becton to ramp up from no competitive reps to the Week 1 starter in less than two months. But if Turner starts, will Becton wait for a potential role later in the season or voice his displeasure again? >> https://www.nj.com/jets/2023/06/jets-depth-chart-projection-breaking-down-aaron-rodgers-and-his-weapons-in-new-look-offense.html 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangerous Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 So if Zach shows something they should try and move him? And what? Rodgers is probably going to be qb this season and next. After Rodgers they’ll need to have someone in place. So if Zach starts to show something why not him? The alternate would be to go into the free agent or trade pool or draft a qb. Assuming this team does as well as hoped they’re not going to have a high draft pick and nexts year no. 1 went to Green Bay. It makes all the sense in the world to keep Zach if he’s showing something because it keeps some good continuity on the offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warfish Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 7 minutes ago, rangerous said: So if Zach shows something they should try and move him? And what? Rodgers is probably going to be qb this season and next. After Rodgers they’ll need to have someone in place. So if Zach starts to show something why not him? The alternate would be to go into the free agent or trade pool or draft a qb. Assuming this team does as well as hoped they’re not going to have a high draft pick and nexts year no. 1 went to Green Bay. It makes all the sense in the world to keep Zach if he’s showing something because it keeps some good continuity on the offense. Wilson isn't getting a second contract in NY at anything close to starter or franchise QB pay levels. The timing of Wilson's contract all but guarantees this. i.e. He may as well already be gone. Because he's simply not resigning here as a backup, and won't be able to "show" enough to be an uncontested starter post-Rodgers. So you move him (if possible, which it won't be) to get something out of him, as opposed to letting him leave at the end of his fourth year for nothing. At least, that is the logic at play here. Did you think he's going to have a historic improvement, and be our stud starting QB in 2025 after Rodgers leaves, under a brand new #1 QB deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal N of Provo Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, rangerous said: So if Zach shows something they should try and move him? And what? Rodgers is probably going to be qb this season and next. After Rodgers they’ll need to have someone in place. So if Zach starts to show something why not him? The alternate would be to go into the free agent or trade pool or draft a qb. Assuming this team does as well as hoped they’re not going to have a high draft pick and nexts year no. 1 went to Green Bay. It makes all the sense in the world to keep Zach if he’s showing something because it keeps some good continuity on the offense. They are not moving Zach if he shows he can calm down and run the offense. The high ceiling rare stuff he has. It’s QB101. They know how bad he was coached. They seem to believe he’s worth investing in for another season. If they don’t like how it goes this year he’s gone. But I’m looking forward to see him grow into it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 2 hours ago, Hal N of Provo said: They are not moving Zach if he shows he can calm down and run the offense. The high ceiling rare stuff he has. It’s QB101. Still waiting for any evidence he has this my man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 3 hours ago, rangerous said: So if Zach shows something they should try and move him? And what? Rodgers is probably going to be qb this season and next. After Rodgers they’ll need to have someone in place. So if Zach starts to show something why not him? The alternate would be to go into the free agent or trade pool or draft a qb. Assuming this team does as well as hoped they’re not going to have a high draft pick and nexts year no. 1 went to Green Bay. It makes all the sense in the world to keep Zach if he’s showing something because it keeps some good continuity on the offense. Rodgers will be here the next 4 years so he can face the Packers as a Jet. Wilson is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangerous Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 4 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said: Rodgers will be here the next 4 years so he can face the Packers as a Jet. Wilson is done. I think that’s a bit premature. The jets will give this season to work things out and then see if it’s better to stick with him or go back into the free agent or draft market. I’m not sure if Rodgers plays more than two seasons. Maybe he will if the jets hold another 50 million under his nose. If he does stay more than two seasons then it becomes less likely he’s the hare apparent. The jets could draft a qb in the latter rounds and have the luxury of sitting the guy for a season. But if Zach does show something then why wouldn’t they just keep him on past year four? I look at this by how much money they will be commuting to the position. It’s quite high now and for next season with Zach and Rodgers. If Rodgers only stays two seasons and they retain Zach then it’s pretty manageable. Don’t get me wrong. Zach has to show something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warfish Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 3 hours ago, rangerous said: I think that’s a bit premature. The jets will give this season to work things out and then see if it’s better to stick with him or go back into the free agent or draft market. I’m not sure if Rodgers plays more than two seasons. Maybe he will if the jets hold another 50 million under his nose. If he does stay more than two seasons then it becomes less likely he’s the hare apparent. The jets could draft a qb in the latter rounds and have the luxury of sitting the guy for a season. But if Zach does show something then why wouldn’t they just keep him on past year four? I look at this by how much money they will be commuting to the position. It’s quite high now and for next season with Zach and Rodgers. If Rodgers only stays two seasons and they retain Zach then it’s pretty manageable. Don’t get me wrong. Zach has to show something. They'd have to give him a contract extension/new contract to "keep him past year 4". There is no realistic universe where they're going to take up his fifth year option at that cost. Rodgers would have to go down early in this 2023 season, and Zach play at an all-pro level to warrant such a decision, and that would be horrible (Rodgers) and near impossible (Zach playing like an all-pro). Rodgers plays 2 years, Zach sits the pine for both. Then the Jets move on without either in 2025. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 8 minutes ago, rangerous said: I think that’s a bit premature. How so? I've already acknowledged he'll be here the length of his rookie deal. That's 4 whole years for him to show he's worth a damn. Based on what we've seen so far, the chances of that are extremely unlikely. It's not premature at all to declare a guy with a Ryan Leaf-caliber career to date as being done here. Any career comeback he has will be with another team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 3 hours ago, rangerous said: So if Zach shows something they should try and move him? And what? Rodgers is probably going to be qb this season and next. After Rodgers they’ll need to have someone in place. So if Zach starts to show something why not him? The alternate would be to go into the free agent or trade pool or draft a qb. Assuming this team does as well as hoped they’re not going to have a high draft pick and nexts year no. 1 went to Green Bay. It makes all the sense in the world to keep Zach if he’s showing something because it keeps some good continuity on the offense. Steve Young will be advocating for the Jets to trade Zach before trade deadline if Rodgers is healthy. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Carter is in more trouble than zonovan knight off of last year imo. Carter took a huge step backwards. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal N of Provo Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 2 hours ago, jgb said: Steve Young will be advocating for the Jets to trade Zach before trade deadline if Rodgers is healthy. Zach will be a good soldier this year and will be the starting QB for the Jets in 3 seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 2 hours ago, Beerfish said: Carter is in more trouble than zonovan knight off of last year imo. Carter took a huge step backwards. They both have eerily similar athletic profiles. They both stink running the ball between the tackles but whichever can fill in a 3rd down role more effectively will get run. My money is on Carter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 4 minutes ago, Hal N of Provo said: Zach will be a good soldier this year and will be the starting QB for the Jets in 3 seasons. As I said, yes he will be a good soldier because he needs to repair his brand. Hence, his proxy warriors will push his case for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal N of Provo Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 1 minute ago, jgb said: As I said, yes he will be a good soldier because he needs to repair his brand. Hence, his proxy warriors will push his case for him. The bet with Steve Young is the right one. That’s been the easiest to see one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgb Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, Hal N of Provo said: The bet with Steve Young is the right one. That’s been the easiest to see one. Yeah, easy to judge. It'll happen, by the way. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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