The New York Jets are one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFL heading into 2024. They could be Super Bowl contenders, or they could miss the playoffs entirely.
Obviously, it all depends on the status of Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off of a torn Achilles that he suffered in last year’s season opener.
Still, so long as Rodgers remains healthy, the Jets should, at the very least, be competitive.
Don’t tell that to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who ranked New York 25th (yes, twenty-fifth) in his most recent set of NFL power rankings.
“They’re counting on way too many injured veterans to stay healthy,” wrote Florio.
Yes, that is true. Not only is Rodgers returning from a major injury, but wide receiver Mike Williams is on the mend from a torn ACL, and offensive tackle Tyron Smith has not played more than 13 games in a single season since 2015.
But Gang Green went 7-10 in 2023 with Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian under center. You’re seriously telling me that they won’t at least be a bit better than that in 2024?
Unless Florio is legitimately expecting Rodgers to get hurt again, placing the Jets above only seven other teams in the NFL is ridiculous.
The Jets are looking to end a league-worst playoff drought
New York has not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 campaign, representing the longest active drought in the NFL.
Since then, the Jets have logged just one winning season, which came in 2015 when they went 10-6. New York also registered a pair of 8-8 campaigns in 2011 and 2013.
Otherwise, the Jets have posted losing records every year and have done so for each of the last eight seasons.
So, based on Gang Green’s history, you can understand why some people have reservations about them. Or maybe some people just have an axe to grind with Rodgers (Florio in particular has been one of Rodgers’ biggest critics).
Regardless, on paper, the Jets have one of the most talented rosters in football. Are they guaranteed to be a smashing success in 2024? No, but to rank them that low is unfair.
Let’s remember that the AFC East is wide open with the New England Patriots in all-out rebuilding mode and both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins losing many significant pieces this offseason.
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