3 Moves the New York Jets Must Make This Offseason
As the NFL offseason officially begins for all 32 teams, we will examine what each franchise must do in free agency and the NFL Draft to emerge a better, more complete team when the 2025 season kicks off in September.
Since time immemorial, the New York Jets have been one of the more fascinating franchises in the NFL. This offseason is no different.
New head coach Aaron Glenn arrives as the prodigal son returning in hopes of turning the franchise’s fortunes around once and for all, and ownership banished snake oil salesman Aaron Rodgers to the football hinterlands, signaling a new era dawning for the woebegone franchise.
The Jets are not slated to go on the clock until the No. 7 overall pick, so they may need to get creative about landing the quarterback they hope can turn the tide in 2025. Whether it be by trading up to the top of the board or adding one of the marquee veterans likely to be available when the new league year begins, what New York does at the most important position in sports will be a big domino that falls across the league.
Fortunately for the Jets, there are some solid young pieces on both sides of the football, and with the exception of the Buffalo Bills, the AFC East is ripe for a quick turnaround. That is, if the Jets finally operate like adults in the room regarding methodical roster building.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Jets’ assets to rebuild with this offseason, and three moves that could turn things around in New York.
Between The Hashmarks is independent and reader-supported NFL journalism. If you’re a football fan who enjoys in-depth coverage of NFL news, with analysis and insights from sources across the league, please consider becoming a subscriber today!
New York Jets Cap Space
On the surface, things look rather bleak for the Jets.
New York is projected to open the offseason with just $18.17 in effective cap space.
However, shortly after unpacking his office in Florham Park, new general manager Darren Mougey can make several moves to create significantly more spending flexibility.
After unceremoniously throwing Aaron Rodgers overboard, the Jets can release him with a post-June 1 designation and create $9.4 million in cap space, while triggering a $14 million dead-money charge. Likewise, releasing Davante Adams as a post-1 cut frees up $36.16 million in cap space while triggering a $2 million dead-money hit. The same figures apply to a Davante Adams trade, as they would if the Jets release the 32-year-old receiver.
Some quick back-of-the-cocktail napkin math says the Jets would create $29.56 million in cap space by these two moves, alone, which increases New York’s total spending flexibility to $47.73 million in cap space, which would be 12th-most in the NFL.
New York can also free up even more cap space by signing playmaking 24-year-old wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a long-term extension, which should be one of Mougey’s top priorities.
New York Jets Draft Picks
The fact that the Jets are picking inside the top 10 is a big reason to be optimistic that this might not be a substantial lift for Glenn and Mougey to get the ship steered in the right direction.
Whether by investing in a player at the top of the draft at one of the Jets’ biggest positions of need, or as part of a trade to acquire a quarterback, New York has the opportunity to add a difference-maker.
Round 1, pick No. 7 overall
Round 2, pick No. 42 overall
Round 3, pick No. 92 overall (via Detroit Lions)
Round 4, pick No. 109 overall
Round 5, pick No. 146 overall
Round 5, pick No. 157 overall (via Pittsburgh Steelers)
Round 6, pick No. 188 overall
Round 6, pick No. 209 overall (via Kansas City Chiefs)
3 Moves the New York Jets Must Make This Offseason
Trade for Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford
The Jets took the right course of action, but chose the wrong guy.
Trading for Aaron Rodgers turned out to be as misguided in hindsight as it was believing that he could reverse a downtrend in Green Bay that began in his age 39 season.
But, just because Rodgers didn’t work out doesn’t mean that the Jets should shy away from taking a big swing at a veteran quarterback who is still at the top of his game to lead a roster that is a pretty solid mix of exciting young talent and star-caliber veterans.
There have been strange vibes all offseason between Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, with the organization granting the 37-year-old permission to speak to teams about his value, according to the NFL Network.
Stafford took the Rams to the doorstep of the NFC Championship Game in 2024, passing for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions in 16 games. Even entering his 17th season, Stafford is still one of the most effective quarterbacks in the sport and could be exactly what the Jets need to elevate an offense built around Wilson’s field-stretching ability in the vertical passing game and a dynamic pair of running backs.
Sign CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Veteran cornerback D.J. Reed sounds like someone who’s fully ready and prepared to test the free agent waters and sign with the highest bidder in a few weeks, which will leave a gaping hole in the Jets’ secondary.
Signing emerging talent, 25-year-old Asante Samuel Jr. to pair opposite Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner may be the ideal complementary player the Jets could target in the offseason ahead.
Samuel Jr., 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds held opposing quarterbacks to a pedestrian 87.3 passer rating when they threw his direction, as he finished the 2024 campaign with two pass breakups before suffering a shoulder injury that ended his season in Week 4.
With plenty of upside, and with the ideal length that a defensive-minded coach like Glenn covets to build the secondary around, Samuel could be a top target in free agency and key piece to fortifying the defense.
Draft WR Jack Bech
TCU wide receiver Jack Bech was among the most sure-handed pass catchers, and smoothest route runners at the Senior Bowl, and could be one of this draft’s high-risers in the months ahead.
At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Bech has the ideal size as a reliable possession receiver but a knack for creating separation early in the route, which could give him the chance to excel at the next level. Bech is a likely third-round pick and could be a welcomed addition at one of the Jets’ biggest positions of need.
Last season, Bech caught 62 passes for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging a whopping 16.7 yards per reception. Especially if the Jets plan on moving on from Adams, Bech could slide in as an immediate starter alongside Wilson in the slot as a reliable target for whoever is behind center in New York.
In Case You Missed It
I assume "fold the franchise" is just understood as the main move they should make at this point.
If I were Jets/Giants or Steelers looking at Stafford, I would certainly drill down to his performances outdoors in poor to nasty weather. (Not saying I have the answers.) Here's a guy who has played 85 to 90% of his career games in domes or warm weather climates. Stafford won't be a bargain, either, although his current contract is for $27 million this year for the Rams. He'll be asking for $50 million, which for most teams needing a QB is a big pay hike at the QB position. Stafford's not going to a 4-win franchise this late in his career just for the cash. What team in playoff contention is lacking either a $50 million veteran QB or a rising QB star on a rookie deal? Stafford's best combination of cash and a competitive team is to return to the Rams.