Catching up with ex-Jets around the AFC
Now that the season is basically over, it’s time to update you on former New York Jets players and how they’ve been faring with their current teams. We’ll look at offensive players from AFC teams today before moving on to look at defensive players, players from NFC teams and special teamers over the next week or so.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Running back Ty Johnson has been valuable for the Bills, with quarterback Josh Allen referring to him as the best third down back in football. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and caught 18 passes in the regular season as he generated almost 500 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. He added another touchdown in the postseason as he generated 128 yards on 24 touches. He is now out of contract, though.
Quarterback Mike White remains under contract having been up and down between the practice squad and active roster all season. He didn’t play much, completing three of 11 passes for 28 yards.
Running back Raheem Mostert saw his numbers drop significantly after a monster 2023 season. He rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns but averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. He also caught 19 passes. Mostert is under contract for 2025 with a cap number of under $4 million but some analysts believe he could be a cap casualty.
Wide receiver Braxton Berrios is heading to free agency having torn his ACL in week seven. He was mostly used on special teams as he didn’t catch a pass on four targets.
Quarterback Tim Boyle and wide receiver Robbie Chosen were both released in the middle of the season. Boyle had completed 15 of 26 passes for 153 yards and rushed twice for 10 yards, while the former Robby Anderson had one catch for five yards in two appearances.
Also: Wide receiver Tarik Black was added to the practice squad and signed a futures deal for 2025 despite not having played.
Offensive lineman Calvin Anderson ended up with the Steelers after getting hurt before the season and the only other ex-Jets offensive player to make the roster or practice squad was wide receiver Alex Erickson, who himself ended up with the Texans. Erickson did make three appearances but only played on special teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Wide receiver Mike Williams didn’t get to see much action with Pittsburgh after being traded by the Jets, but he was effective whenever they used him as he caught nine passes on 13 targets for 132 yards and a game-winning touchdown. He also caught a 37-yard pass in the playoffs.
As noted above, tackle Calvin Anderson was picked up from the Patriots. He played 11 offensive snaps in four games while offensive lineman Nate Herbig spent the entire season on injured reserve. Anderson, Williams and Herbig are all out of contract.
Running back Jonathan Ward bounced up and down between the active roster and practice squad, making four appearances, then signed a futures deal after the season. He carried five times for 22 yards with one first down.
Also: Wide receiver Lance McCutcheon spent four weeks on the practice squad before being released but did sign a futures deal after the season. Running back La’Mical Perine was similarly released after a month on the practice squad but was not offered a futures deal.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore set a career-high with 61 catches as he now heads to free agency. He only had 538 yards and one touchdown but did have a 100-yard gain and saw his production increase once Deshaun Watson was out for the year.
Tight end Brenden Bates was a late-season addition who played 15 snaps in two games but did not register a catch.
Also: Offensive lineman Brady Latham signed a futures deal after the season.
The Bengals were the only AFC team that didn’t have any offensive players who were former Jets in 2024.
Quarterback Josh Johnson is now a free agent again, having served as Lamar Jackson’s backup. He only threw three passes all year, completing two for 17 yards.
Offensive lineman Corey Levin spent time on the practice squad, but eventually played in 10 games, starting one. He gave up a sack and had one penalty in 133 snaps but is now a free agent.
Also: Quarterback Trevor Siemian spent time on the Titans’ practice squad but didn’t play and wasn’t signed to a futures deal.
Quarterback Joe Flacco ended up starting six games for the Colts and put up pretty good numbers as he completed 65 percent of his passes for almost 1,800 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had two game-winning drives but his only two 300-yard games both came in losses to two of the league’s three worst teams. He is now a free agent.
Also: Wide receiver DJ Montgomery remained on the practice squad all year but did not play. He signed a futures deal at the end of the season.
Houston Texans:
Offensive lineman Austin Deculus was a late-season addition who remains under contract having played 29 snaps in one regular season appearance. He also saw action in two playoff games as an extra linemen, including one which he got credit for a start because he was on the field for the first play.
As noted, Erickson was a late-season addition having previously been with New England. However, he was just on the practice squad and wasn’t retained after not having played.
Versatile offensive lineman Blake Hance moved up to the main roster early in the year from the practice squad and saw action on 97 snaps in nine games. He made one start as he played every offensive line position apart from center, as well as jumbo tight end. He had one penalty but didn’t give up a sack.
Also: Quarterback John Wolford was a late season practice squad addition but did not play and did not sign a futures deal.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman won’t get a chance to repeat his Super Bowl heroics this year as he is on injured reserve. He caught 12 passes for 90 yards on 14 targets and rushed five times for 62 yards and a touchdown during the regular season while also contributing on special teams.
Tight end Anthony Firkser remains on the Chiefs’ practice squad but was elevated three times during which he played 24 offensive snaps.
Also: The Chiefs picked up wide receiver Jason Brownlee and added him to their practice squad but he hasn’t played for them yet.
The Raiders added tight end Trevon Wesco to their practice squad, but he didn’t play and wasn’t signed to a futures deal.
Tight end Eric Tomlinson bounced between the practice squad and active roster all year and has not been retained for 2025. In nine games, he made one start and caught two short passes in 133 offensive snaps.
Finally quarterback Zach Wilson is now a pending free agent having not seen action at any point this season while being on the roster as the number three quarterback.
Part two will cover AFC defensive players later this week…