The addition of Aaron Rodgers has many expecting a year of contention from the New York Jets in 2023. Adding the four-time MVP at quarterback and the talent on defense has Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey listing the Jets at No. 8 on his preseason power rankings.
Here is what Bailey had to say about the Jets ahead of the 2023 campaign:
The Jets won seven games last season with human tackling dummy Mike White and Cougar alum cougar-hunter Zach Wilson as their primary quarterbacks. Adding a four-time MVP into the mix will certainly go a long way. The defense is astounding and their young stars have potential to get even better. The only thing that would keep the Jets out of the playoffs would be distractions. Verbally jousting with Sean Payton because he said something correct about Nathaniel Hackett isn’t what this team should be doing. If they keep their mouths shut and heads down, they’ll be a force. If they get distracted by outside noise, well we know the Jets.
The Jets knew they needed to make a change under center after going 7-10 in 2022 despite the defense being one of the best units in the NFL. After having an assortment of quarterbacks start last season, New York was aggressive in landing Rodgers via trade, along with pairing him with his former offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett.
To surround Rodgers with more weapons than Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis, the Jets also signed Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard. Breece Hall is also expected to be ready for Week 1 as he looks to overcome a knee injury that cut his rookie season short in 2022.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets are led by their young talented duo of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. New York also hopes to get production out of Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald off of the edge as both were taken in the first round in the last two drafts.
Quarterback play is undoubtedly vital to a team’s success each season, and with Rodgers now orchestrating the Jets’ offense, many view New York as a potential contender in 2023.
