February is flying by which means March is rapidly approaching and that signals the beginning of free agency and all the NFL offseason craziness. As these marks along the offseason timeline get closer the rumor mill begins to heat up. For the New York Jets, this offseason is crucial as they try to get things turned around for a huge 2024 with Aaron Rodgers under center.
Today, let’s look at the latest news and rumors surrounding the Jets as free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft draw closer.
The Latest Jets News and Rumors
Coaching and Front Office Changes
After a nightmare 2023 campaign, it was clear change was on the horizon in certain areas of New York’s front office and coaching staff. While the change that has occurred has been minor moves it is still change which leaves the Jets with holes to fill at the top. Two of the most surprising subtractions were in the front office where two of Joe Douglas‘ right-hand men are out.
Earlier this month Assistant GM Rex Hogan and the Jets mutually parted ways after two separate stints together. Shortly after that Chad Alexander headed west to join the Los Angeles Chargers as their new Assistant GM.
On the coaching front, five coaches four of them on the offensive side of the ball have moved on, including three new names this week:
- QBs Coach Rob Calabrese – Los Angeles Rams Offensive Assistant
- Offensive Assistant Mack Brown – Seattle Seahawks Tight Ends Coach
- Defensive Assistant Ricky Manning Jr. – Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Backs Coach
- Running Backs Coach Taylor Embree – New England Patriots Running Backs Coach
- Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni – Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers Coach
To put it simply, there has been a lot of movement which was expected after another seven-win season. Some of these subtractions could also be the Jets trying to get rid of the leaks that have caused various bombshell reports to come out of Florham Park. Either way, the Jets front office, and offensive coaching staff will look much different when week one rolls around.
Mike Evans To Test Open Market
One of the biggest needs for New York entering the offseason is finding a number two option to pair alongside Garrett Wilson. Luckily for the Jets, they will have plenty of options for them through free agency and the draft to bring in much-needed upgrades at the position. One of the biggest names on the list of potential free-agent wide receivers is Mike Evans.
Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2014, Evans has been one of the best and most consistent wide receivers in the game. In each of his ten seasons, Evans had accumulated at least 1,000 yards. On top of that, in 2023, Evans finished with 1,255 yards which ranked 9th in the NFL, and hauled in 13 touchdowns which was tied for the league lead.
With the deal deadline passing between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Evans on Monday, all signs point towards Evans hitting the open market. New York among other AFC contenders should be involved in the Mike Evans sweepstakes once March comes around. With over 11,000 yards and 90 touchdowns in his career Evans would be a massive get for Joe Douglas to pair alongside Garrett Wilson.
David Bakhtiari Reunion with Aaron Rodgers?
Could another former teammate of Aaron Rodgers be joining him in The Big Apple? It sure seems that way as multiple reports have come out revealing the expectation is the Green Bay Packers will release longtime tackle David Bakhtiari. This move will save Green Bay $20 million on their cap and open up a potential reunion with Rodgers in New York.
Since entering the league in 2013 as a fourth-round pick Bakhtiari has spent his entire eleven-year career playing in front of the Cheeseheads. Ten of those eleven came with Rodgers under center. While Bakhtiari has had a very successful career starting a total of 131 games since his entry into the league in 2013, recently it’s been a very bumpy road.
Since 2020, Bakhtiari has appeared in just 24 games which is only 6.25 games played per year. Also over this span, he’s missed a total of 45 games and has had five knee surgeries. This is a major concern if you are Joe Douglas and the Jets front office.
If the Jets do decide to bring in Bakhtiari it should be an incentives-based deal with legitimate competition for the left tackle job in camp. It would be a major mistake if Douglas and company bring in Bakhtiari as the day-one starter relying on him to play an entire season protecting Rodgers’ blindside.
Jamal Adams Reunion?
No Thank You. After being selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2017, Jamal Adams got off to a great start to his career. He earned First-Team and Second-Team All-Pro honors with New York along with two trips to the Pro Bowl. However, things quickly went in the wrong direction for Adams and the Jets.
In the 2020 offseason, Adams publicly criticized the Jets organization and requested a trade which was granted and was the first big move of Joe Douglas’ tenure. The Jets sent Adams to the Seattle Seahawks and the picks in return turned into Alijah-Vera Tucker and Garrett Wilson. Safe to say the Jets won that trade by a lot. For Adams, since he joined the Seahawks it has been a bumpy ride with injuries and overall on-field performance.
Since 2020 Adams has appeared in just 34 games which is only 8.5 games played per year over the four years. To add on, one of Adams’ biggest strengths is his blitz ability and getting to the quarterback but recently that hasn’t worked. Jamal Adams’ last sack recorded was Week 15, December 20, 2020, against the Washington Commanders.
Entering the offseason, safety could use some help for the Jets but Adams can’t be the answer. From an on-the-field perspective he has not played up to the back of his playing card since 2020 and from a logical standpoint why would Douglas bring him back after his first major move as Jets GM was getting rid of him? Plus, New York has its locker room issues Adams would only add fuel to the fire that is already burning.
Main Image: Mark Hoffman, Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal S, Packers News via Imagn Content Services, LLC
