Pump the brakes, New York Jets' fans.
Although the franchise's fortunes are trending upward, it's still a bit too risky to start printing those 2024 AFC East champion t-shirts at this point.
The Jets have made multiple noteworthy offseason personnel moves to upgrade the offense around 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the divisional landscape didn't become any less challenging.
Examining potential "overreactions" that have emerged in the wake of the NFL offseason, ESPN national writer Dan Graziano tackled the topic of whether the "Jets have jumped ahead of the Bills and Dolphins in the AFC East." While Buffalo has won the division title four years in a row, New York hasn't posted a winning record since 2015.
The author suggests that the idea of New York overtaking both Buffalo and Miami is an "overreaction." While arguing that the Bills and Dolphins have not declined as much as one may think, the ESPN scribe was unwilling to bet on the Jets and their again quarterback coming off an Achilles tear.
From ESPN's Judging overreactions to 2024 NFL offseason:
"As for the Jets: They did everything they needed to do to get better. ... In the end, this New York coaching staff still has not proved it can manage a team to the playoffs the way the Bills' and Dolphins' staffs have. And everything still comes down to a 40-year-old quarterback who didn't play last season, didn't play well the season before that and for some reason scheduled a vacation during the team's mandatory minicamp. Rodgers has brought nothing but headaches so far. If he plays well enough to make all of them worth it, good for him and good for the team. But are you willing to bet on that?" — Dan Graziano
To say Rodgers has brought little value to the Jets thus far is a bit of a reach. His presence, alone, has improved the atmosphere at 1 Jets Drive and has made the team a more attractive destination for top talent.
If he can remain healthy, Rodgers instantly upgrades the quarterback position. Even a repeat of his "unimpressive" 2022 statistical production would likely be enough to lift New York into the postseason. Rodgers completed 64.6 percent of passes for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns over his final 17 games as a Packer.
By comparison, the Jets' 2023 quarterbacks group accounted for a 59.2 completion percentage and 11 touchdown passes.
