While there’s some buzz around the New York Jets as the 2025 NFL season approaches, thanks mostly to the potentially electric pairing of new head coach Aaron Glenn and quarterback Justin Fields, expectations for Gang Green generally remain with reason. A bounce back year from a few key players could lift the Jets to around .500, though they’re still not likely to contend with the Buffalo Bills for the division.
But even as modest as most fan expectations are, some analysts are even lower. Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently ranked each team’s collection of receivers, tight ends, and running backs, and he placed the Jets at 27th overall, just three spots ahead of division rival New England Patriots.
Barnwell had nothing but good things to say about receiver Garrett Wilson, who has topped 1,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, saying that Wilson “would be a superstar with better quarterback play.” But everything else about New York’s pass catchers and ball carriers looks rough. Barnwell noted Breece Hall’s concerning regression in 2024 and cast major doubt on every receiver not named Garrett Wilson.
As for tight ends, the only player with real potential in 2025 is rookie Mason Taylor. But, as Barnwell points out, tight ends almost always struggle to make any kind of impact in their rookie seasons.
While the ranking may be a touch low, it’s not unfair. Rookie tight ends do typically have a hard time transitioning to the NFL. Hall needs to prove that he can still be a three-down back. Every receiver on the depth chart after Wilson is unproven at best or just plain bad at worst.
Luckily for the fans, the Jets can still massively outplay this projection once the season begins. 26-year-old Justin Fields is in at quarterback and still has massive potential in the NFL. Even if he remains a so-so passer, his ability to run the ball is a true game changer and that should open things up for Hall and second-year running back Braelon Allen, who is expected by many to make a big leap forward in 2025.
With Fields, Hall, and Allen, we could be looking at a three-headed monster of a ground game for New York. If they can run the ball effectively with this trio, that should make things much easier in the passing game, which will only assist the run game further.
But that’s a lot of hopes and wishes. Real football has yet to be played. Once the regular season starts, the Jets will have their chance to prove the doubters wrong, but not a moment before then.