Jets Mailbag: Will New York make the playoffs during the 2025 NFL season?

The Aaron Glenn Era is officially underway with the Jets. Last week the team completed its first string of on-field organized team activities. They’ll have a second set this week.

The players are in underwear, as Glenn said, but it’s still football-like activity on a football field. It’s the first chance to see this year’s Jets. So, we figured it would be a good time to open the mailbag and address your concerns about the state of New York.

What’s on your mind? Let’s get to it.

Could you see any additions made to the Jets quarterback room? - @NYJFan42069

It would surprise me if they signed anyone notable before the start of training camp. They have four under contract (Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, Brady Cook). The starter is locked in Fields. Taylor is as good of a backup as any in the NFL. Martinez and Cook are likely camp arms.

With Jordan Travis gone, though, the Jets don’t have any developmental projects. They might look to add one after the rosters trim to the practice squad to fill that role – someone GM Darren Mougey had a draftable grade on in 2024 or 2025 who might shake free.

Are there any remaining free agents that you could see the Jets signing? - @BleedjetsGreen

The Jets can certainly make a splash with $22 million in cap space. That’s more than enough to add a player and keep enough in the cache to cover players signed to replace those who land on the injured reserve. Receiver is a need opposite Garrett Wilson, but the Jets don’t seem overly inclined to address that spot now. They have veterans Tyler Johnson and Josh Reynolds, drafted Arian Smith, and restructured Allen Lazard's contract. It would be a little surprising if they added a notable name (Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen) there.

Safety could be a spot, though. Julian Blackmon and Justin Simmons are both available. The Jets love Andre Cisco. Tony Adams is a little bit of a question mark next to him. He fell out of favor with the upper levels of management a season ago.

Will the Jets make the playoffs this year? - @UDontKnowR1

It’s not an asinine thought if Fields gives them consistent above-average quarterback play. Most teams get a jump their first year with a new coach. There is legitimate talent on the roster (Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Quinnen Williams). The Jets aren’t without holes. They’re not going to win 12 or 13 games, but there’s no reason they can’t gut out nine, though, and get in as the final wild-card team.

A main reason for that is the schedule. It’s not as daunting as it has been in years past. There are tough games – sure. No backbreaking stretches, though.

Again: It’s all going to come down to Fields. The Jets might struggle to win six or seven games if he’s no better than the player he was with the Chicago Bears or Pittsburgh Steelers.

What’s your take on the tight ends and who will get the most touches to start the season? - @JoeyJetsX

Mason Taylor should receive the majority of the touches. Jeremy Ruckert hasn’t shown enough to be relied on as a receiving option. It was a little disappointing to not see him step up more with increased opportunities toward the end of last year. He’s still a very good blocker. He just hasn’t developed enough as a receiver.

Taylor isn’t super polished in that regard, either. The raw ability is worth putting him on the field for. As Glenn said at the Jets’ first media-open organized team activity: You can’t be afraid to play young players. 

Do the Jets believe that Jermaine Johnson can bounce back to his pre-injury level of play? - @HungryJet17

Eventually, yes. This wasn’t a career-altering injury. Expectations should be tempered with Johnson. That was a massive injury he endured. He also plays a position reliant on exploding forward and using that tendon. He’ll be better each week and month.

A Pro Bowl level of play might need to wait for 2026. Which is fine. Among the best decisions the Jets made this offseason was picking up Johnson’s fifth-year option, along with Gardner and Wilson. I wasn’t sure they’d do that, instead waiting to see how he recovered from the injury. This guarantees Johnson an additional year in New York.