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Rodgers Heads Top 4 Reasons to Watch Jets in Preseason
- There is a lot of betting hype around the New York Jets, and the preseason could help decide if they are worth it.
- Aaron Rodgers is the most significant player to watch in the preseason, with the offense built around him.
- Betting on the Jets, given their additions, might look like a good decision after the preseason.
This 2024 season is going to be very telling for the New York Jets. Last season was disappointing as they finished with a 7-10 record after NFL odds had them favored to make the playoffs. A big reason for the team’s hype was that they had traded for Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. However, Rodgers would only play in one drive as an Achilles injury ended his season.
Despite the team’s lack of success in 2023, the Jets still have solid odds to make the playoffs this season. Their line is set at -155 to make the playoffs, and they have decent odds to win the AFC East at +190.
There is some hype surrounding the Jets again, which could make them a team to pay attention to in the preseason. They start their preseason on Aug. 10 against the Washington Commanders.
Rodgers Merits Plenty of Attention
Last season, most of the hype was around the arrival of Rodgers. In 2022, the Jets’ defense was ranked fourth in points and yards allowed, becoming one of the best in the NFL. On the other hand, the offense was ranked 29th in points and 25th in yards.
The acquisition of Rodgers was meant to immediately change the offense and pair it with the Jets’ already elite defense, making them a playoff team. But once he got injured, NFL picks quickly turned on the team.
However, odds have again built up traction around the Jets for the same reasons. The defense will look the same while the Jets added impact players on the offense, especially the offensive line. They acquired Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and John Simpson, then drafted Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick.
Aaron Rodgers planned this trip when he was still rehabbing. The #Jets have known about it from the moment there was an overlap with the release of the minicamp schedule.
Rodgers is “unexcused” because you can’t excuse a trip, but not a contract dispute (Haason Reddick).…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) June 12, 2024
The Jets have built an offensive line to protect Rodgers better than last season. However, it is also important to pay attention to how Rodgers looks on the field. He will be 40 years old at the start of the season and 41 by the time the playoffs begin. Seeing how well Rodgers has recovered from a massive injury during the preseason could be a big factor in betting on the Jets’ future lines. It is also concerning that he did not attend the mandatory minicamp.
In the long run, maybe the impact of his absence has been blown out of proportion by the New York City media, but it is still something to pay attention to. Rodgers missed time to help prepare this team for a big season with playoff aspirations, making the preseason that much more important.
How Will the New Offensive Line Look
The injury to Rodgers upended the Jets’ whole season. The offense was built around the four-time MVP, who won the award in back-to-back in 2020 and 2021. Going into the 2023 season, the offensive line was an issue and Rodgers’ injury only made it a bigger talking point.
This offseason, the Jets have made a considered effort to change things. They signed Smith (tackle) and Simpson (guard) while also trading for Moses (tackle). Then, instead of taking another offensive weapon for Rodgers in the draft, the Jets invested in protecting their aging quarterback by selecting Fashanu (tackle).
That is four new names on the Jets’ offensive line should each make an impact this season. It might take some time for this newly formed offensive line to jell, but that is a big reason why they will be crucial to watch in the preseason. If the offensive line can figure things out, the hype around the Jets could slowly become a reality.
WRs Among New Skilled Players
Another reason the Jets were hyped last season and again as we approach the start of the 2024 campaign is that, despite the lack of production, there are some skilled offensive players on this team. That is mostly headlined by wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall.
🚨AARON RODGERS 1st JETS TD🚨
📺: #NYJvsNYG on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/PSWFIwcLcF— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023
However, we have yet to see how either will fare with Rodgers. Wilson did catch a touchdown from Rodgers in last year’s preseason, which could be a good marker going forward. An improved passing offense should help open up rushing lanes for Hall.
Still, the Jets added more weapons to Rodgers’ arsenal this offseason. There was no clear No. 2 receiving threat for the Jets, so after the Los Angeles Chargers cut Mike Williams, the Jets swooped in and signed him. Williams has looked amazing when healthy, with two 1,000+ receiving yards seasons in 2019 and 2021. He might not play much in the preseason, but when Williams does play, pay attention to how healthy he looks, given that injuries have been an issue throughout his career.
TRENDING: #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers comments on rookie WR Malachi Corley: “…my favorite receiver in the draft…now, he might not have been the best on paper in the draft…but I really felt like he was going to fit in with what we’re trying to do — his mindset, his ferocity.”… pic.twitter.com/DuDpMDCIyc
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) May 26, 2024
On top of that, the Jets also selected Malachi Corley in the second round of the draft. He is a wide receiver that Rodgers was very high on during the draft process. During the preseason, Corley will really get a chance to show his worth to his quarterback and coaching staff. That is two new potentially impactful receivers for Rodgers to use behind his rebuilt offensive line.
Will The Defense Stay Elite?
After the defense for the Jets was so elite in 2022, the unit did fall off slightly in 2023. While they improved to third in yards allowed, they were 12th in points given up. That could partly be blamed on how weak the offense was, consistently putting the defense in poor positions with turnovers and not extending drives.
With a better offense this season, and if Rodgers can stay healthy (knock on wood), the defense should be even better. The Jets also made some moves in the offseason. They signed Javon Kinlaw, a defensive lineman who played under head coach Robert Saleh on the San Francisco 49ers but has yet to live up to his potential.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Haason Reddick was not at mandatory #Jets media day today & was the only player not in attendance, per @MattOLearyNY pic.twitter.com/XrLSlTuACB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 10, 2024
Furthermore, the Jets traded for Haason Reddick, who had 27 sacks over the last two seasons with Philadelphia. While the Reddick trade has led to a somewhat complicated offseason because he missed minicamp due to his contract, it is still an upgrade at pass rusher.
The Jets’ defense should live up to the team’s NFL lines, having proven to be one of the best for two straight seasons. They did not have to add much but did enough to continue the success, which should be confirmed in the preseason.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Questions of the Day
Are the New York Jets a team worthy of the hype?
The Jets seem like a team that could live up to the hype. If Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy, they have the offensive talent to succeed alongside an elite defense.
