After the 2024 NFL season, the New York Jets are searching for answers. Their 14th consecutive season of missing the playoffs extends one of the longest streaks in sports. They earned the seventh overall pick in the draft due to their 5-12 record, two games worse than their previous 7-10 records in 2022 and ’23.
Now, the team prioritizes the hunt for a new general manager, head coach, quarterback, and more. The Jets offseason will lead to change within the organization in 2025. If handled correctly, the Jets can use the 2025 offseason to capitalize on the long-term talent within the organization. Hopefully, it can begin the abandonment of exceptional but self-serving talent & the construction of a real playoff-contending roster.
Top Five Needs for the Jets 2025 Offseason
Unfortunately, the Jets intentions weren’t realized since trading for Aaron Rodgers. While the team was eager to see him return to the field, it led to an overall worse situation. Despite performing better post-Davante Adams trade & promoting Olu Fashanu to left tackle, it was too little too late. Dropped passes. The team’s running game imploded to 31st in the league for rushing yards. Add on a regressing defense that lost major secondary pieces & disappointing season from the kickers, the Jets couldn’t keep pace. There must be change and it comes at the top. But since they can’t force out Woody Johnson as owner, they can start with the front office.
#1. General Manager
Before the needs of the team can be addressed, it’s vital to hire the right man in the front office. Woody Johnson can’t afford to interject in the construction of this roster and expect this team to mesh. The organization needs a reliable president of football operations mind to capitalize throughout the entire draft. Especially in the later rounds to accommodate the amount of dead cap over the next two years. The decision to release Aaron Rodgers could lead to a $49 million dead cap charge that can be split over the next two years. With the core of Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Will McDonald all in need of extensions, it’s important to have a long-term financial plan.
#2. Head Coach
With a qualified general manager hired, New York can turn to selecting their locker room leader. After being one of the most penalized teams in the league, execution must improve. This team has a discipline issue. They don’t need an old-school-style sideline dictator. They are open to granting the opportunity to another first-time head coach as well. Coordinators like Liam Coen of the Buccaneers and (former Jets cornerback) Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions. But someone who can grab the locker room’s attention and respect. Early reports have seen names like former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, ex-Jets & Bills head coach Rex Ryan, and ex-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel accept interviews thus far. The search will broaden throughout the month.
#3 Quarterback
In 2024, Aaron Rodgers threw the second most passes in the NFL, trailing only Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Yes, Aaron Rodgers has the third most passing touchdowns in a season in franchise history with 28. Nonetheless, he still finished 23rd in completion percentage and 22nd in yards per pass. He was the ninth-most-sacked quarterback in the league. At 41 years old, expecting anything more than near bottom-ten production through a whole season is naive, no matter the coach. If you can move on from Brett Favre in 2008, you can do it with another ex-Packers quarterback.
Even if it’s a downgrade, they have to get younger in their QB room. A potential reunion between Justin Fields and Garrett Wilson should be on the table. Back at Ohio State, Justin Fields threw to Wilson 73 times for 1,155 yards and 11 touchdowns. New York has made the playoffs with less renowned quarterbacks compared to Aaron in the past. They’ll tread water until they can obtain one in the 2026 draft class.
#4 Interior Defensive Line
No. This is not a knock on Quinnen Williams. If anything, think of this as a long-overdue apology for having to overcome playing with Javon Kinlaw this year. Williams is still a premier talent in the league so New York should desire to add another talented defensive lineman to help New York’s front seven. The Jets allowed the fifth most rushing touchdowns in the league this year with 22. With the seventh overall pick in the draft, an opportunity can come in Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Like Williams, Graham played a major role in an NCAA national champion on defense. Adding a high-motor backfield disruptor like Graham with Williams can really make an impact.
#5 Tight End
There will be many free agents this offseason. Few are as big of a puzzle as tight-end Tyler Conklin. A member of the team since 2022, Conklin stepped into the role of starter after the lackluster tenure of CJ Uzomah. He never replicated the same production with Rodgers that he had with Zach Wilson. Outside of a career-high four touchdowns, Conklin has regressed. His first season with less than 55 receptions in four years, with under 500 receiving yards for the first time since he was a backup with the Vikings. It will be hard to see him staying with a more explosive group of tight ends in the draft. Players like Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr or Penn State’s Tyler Warren would be excellent additions next to Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall long-term.
Honorable mentions:
right tackle, safety, cornerback, kicker, and linebacker
Main Photo: [Ed Muholand] – USA Today Sports
The post Top Five Needs for the Jets in the 2025 Offseason appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.