Most recently updated on 3-17-25 at 12:38a
The New York Jets entered the offseason with 12 sure starters on their depth chart. That means they need to acquire 10 starters (5 on offense; 5 on defense) in either NFL Free Agency, via trades or the NFL Draft.
LIVE TRACKER: NEW YORK JETS OFFSEASON PRIORITIES
- QB1 (Justin Fields signed 3-10-25))
- RT
- LB (Jamien Sherwood signed 3-9-25)
- DT
- WR2
- TE
- FS (Andre Cisco signed 3-10-25)
- SS
- CB2 (Brandon Stephens signed 3-10-25)
- WR3
ICYMI Link to “New York Jets Top QB Options for the 2025 NFL Season”.
Analysis of Jets Signings
Based on the available options, QB Justin Fields was an inspired signing by the new Jets regime. He’s an elite runner and the expectation is that the Jets will become a run-heavy team. IF he grows as a passer, he becomes a long-term option. If not, the Jets won’t have to force anything in this year’s draft because they’ll get another shot at it next year. Fields will have a seasoned mentor in QB Tyrod Taylor to compete with, plus he already has chemistry with his former Ohio State Buckeye teammate WR Garrett Wilson. The quickest path for Aaron Glenn’s team to make the playoffs is to emulate the Philadelphia Eagles with a strong running game and a Top 10 defense. This signing gives Fields the chance to reprise the Jalen Hurts role. (Grade B+)
Signing LB Jamien Sherwood was an easy decision, though the rising costs of linebackers had to give Darren Mougey a little pause. Having said that, when you draft a college safety, convert him into a linebacker and see him ascend like Sherwood did in 2024, that organization needs to hold on to that player regardless of who drafted him. Sherwood had a tough task in replacing injured team leader LB CJ Mosley, but he earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his communication skills and his play on the field. He finished 3rd in the NFL in tackles with 158 and was voted Team MVP by his peers. (Grade A)
Nothing statistically stands out about CB Brandon Stephens other than he started all 17 regular season games last season for the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens. He had 70 total tackles (59 solo), 10 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks and 0 (zero) interceptions. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him 153rd out of 223 qualifying cornerbacks. I was advocating to bring back CB Brandin Echols on the cheap, and was surprised to see the Jets guarantee a reported $23m to Stephens as part of his 3-year, $36m contract. At that price, I was tempted to give this move a failing grade. In the end, I’m giving Glenn the benefit of the doubt because he has spent his entire life playing, scouting and coaching this position. (Grade C-)
The final day one signing was Queens native FS Andre Cisco who is expected to be the Jets opening day starter at FS. Cisco will battle incumbent FS Tony Adams, who the Jets placed a “right to match” tender on earlier in the day. Cisco, like Stephens, is coming off a down season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While that’s cause for concern, the Jaguars had a similar chaotic season as the Jets, which can have an effective on performance (see Breece Hall and Sauce Gardner). The Jets mitigated their risk by giving Cisco a one-year contract at $10m (and retaining Adams). We were going to give this move a C, but we bumped it up because Cisco is a fellow Syracuse University Alum. (Grade C+)
Additional Jets Depth Signings
In addition to placing a “right to match” tender on FS Tony Adams (see above), the Jets placed “exclusive rights” tenders on WR/ST Irv Charles and OL Xavier Newman-Johnson. They also re-signed CB/S Isaiah Oliver and LB Jamin Davis.
Updated 3-13-25 at 1:39a The Jets have signed 3 new free agents for depth including DE Rashad Weaver from the Tennessee Titans, OT Chukwuma Okorafor from the New England Patriots and C Josh Myers from the Green Bay Packers.
Updated 3-13-25 at 4:57p. The Jets have added TE Stone Smartt from the Los Angeles Chargers to compete for a role in OC Tanner Engstrand’s offense.
Updated 3-17-25 at 12:32a. The Jets added two potential rotational defensive tackles in DT Byton Cowart and DT Derrick Nnadi (who has won 3 Super Bowl rings with Kansas City). Plus they added P Austin McNamara and re-signed RB/KR Kene Nwangwu.
ICYMI Link to “Roster Cheat Sheet for the New York Jets New Regime”.
