Braelon Allen enters his second NFL season with the New York Jets carrying more than just expectations—he’s preparing to take on a new mission for himself. After a solid but unspectacular rookie campaign, Allen has made it clear he’s determined to earn the full trust of his teammates and coaching staff. His words are as honest as they are telling:
“I have a lot left to prove… to people in the locker room and in this building, and to myself.”
That internal motivation, paired with his rare physical skill set, makes him one of the most intriguing X-factors on a revamped Jets roster. He could be the perfect 1B to Breece Hall’s 1A—or flip the script entirely if he gets his opportunity and rises to the occasion, as he fully intends to do.
Braelon Allen Will Be a Critical Piece for the Jets in 2025
Year 1 to Year 2
Allen’s first year offered glimpses of potential. He logged 92 carries for 334 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 19 receptions for 148 yards and a score through the air. These numbers were respectable for a mid-round rookie splitting carries, but Allen is aiming much higher. His offseason was structured around growth—physically, mentally, and professionally. He trained alongside NFL star Derrick Henry, a fellow big-bodied back, soaking up lessons in preparation, recovery, and discipline.
Coming into this year’s training camp, his teammates and coaches noticed a difference immediately. He looked like a different player—sharper, more focused, and fully aware that with a new coaching staff, nothing was guaranteed. He knew this was his chance to seize a bigger opportunity.
New Coaching Staff and Scheme
Head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand have emphasized a new identity for the Jets’ offense. They’re building through toughness, physicality, and controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Offensively, that starts with one thing: running the football—and running it a lot. That vision aligns perfectly with Allen’s north-south running style. He’s a downhill bruiser with deceptive quickness and a fearless approach to contact, making him an ideal weapon in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
The NFL game is different from college—everyone is bigger, faster, and stronger. Running backs must earn every yard and learn to live with 4–5-yard gains that set the offense up for success. In college, players often look for the home run on every snap, which can lead to poor vision or missed reads. That learning curve varies for everyone, but Allen doesn’t seem to fall into those traps. He’s a rare blend of vision, speed, and power—capable of changing the identity of an offense.
With Engstrand coming over from Detroit alongside Glenn, expect a similar two-back system to what the Lions ran with great success.
Praise from Teammates and Coaching Staff
During training camp and preseason, Allen has drawn consistent praise as one of the most improved players on the roster. His power, decisiveness, and especially his improved pass protection have made him hard to ignore. That pass protection might be the key to earning more playing time. Coming out of Wisconsin’s run-heavy scheme, he wasn’t asked to pass block much—but that’s clearly changed.
Allen has embraced Glenn’s player-first leadership style and has spoken openly about learning from veterans like Hall and Fields. That humility—combined with his competitiveness—has helped him stand out in a crowded running back room. If he can continue to learn from the veterans around him, his natural talent could push him past expectations.
In a locker room full of voices, Allen’s message is quiet but clear: he’s ready to lead by example. He respects the vets, but he’s not content being just a role player. And that’s exactly the mindset you want—because players who are too comfortable rarely grow into stars.
As the Jets look to establish a gritty, run-first identity under their new regime, Allen might be the name flying under the radar—but not for long. He has the tools, the attitude, and now, the opportunity.
There were moments last season when fans and analysts alike were calling for more Allen. Now, his time is here. Still only 21 years old, if Allen continues his current trajectory, he may not just be a key contributor in 2025, but for many years to come. A physical tone-setter. A locker room favorite. And most importantly—the X-factor the Jets didn’t know they needed.
Main Image: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
