Jets biggest revenge games in 2024 include 3 former New York QBs

The Jets' 2024 schedule is chock-full of intrigue.

Not only does New York play the most primetime games this year and a match in London, but the Jets also face a couple of familiar faces along the way. And I'm not just talking about their AFC East rivals.

Matches dubbed as "revenge games" are usually more narrative-based than reality, but the Jets have several that would be fit that description in 2024. Gang Green could face as many as three former Jets quarterbacks — Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson and Geno Smith. The Jets also play against some former coaches with connections to New York, including on the 49ers, Rams and Texans. 

Here are the top revenge games on the Jets' schedule in 2024.

Jets biggest revenge games in 2024

Week 1 vs. 49ers

The first game of the Jets' season features several major connective storylines. Jets head coach Robert Saleh coached in San Francisco for four seasons as defensive coordinator before he took his current job in 2021. This will be the first time Saleh has coached against his old club and his old boss, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

A few Jets players have ties to the 49ers as well. Former 49ers No. 14 overall pick Javon Kinlaw joined the Jets after four bad seasons in San Francisco. Cornerback D.J. Reed also spent his first two NFL seasons with the 49ers before he signed with the Seahawks and then the Jets in 2022. Defensive tackle Soloman Thomas was another highly-drafted 49ers player (No. 3 overall in 2017) who is now on the Jets.

Week 4 vs. Broncos

This could be dubbed the "Nathaniel Hackett Bowl" because the Broncos fired the now-Jets offensive coordinator after less than one season as their head coach in 2022. However, Hackett got the last laugh in 2023 when the Jets beat the Broncos in Week 7.

In reality, the biggest question will be if the Jets will face off against former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who New York traded for Denver this offseason after three horrific years under center. Wilson will have to beat out No. 12 overall pick Bo Nix and veteran Jarrett Stidham first before he assumes the starting role. The other main "revenge" candidate is defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who was shipped to the Broncos after the Jets traded for Haason Reddick.

Week 5 vs. Vikings

The Jets could see another former top-five draft pick under center in consecutive weeks. The Vikings signed quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason, who the Jets drafted No. 3 overall in 2018. New York traded Darnold to the Panthers in 2021 after the Jets drafted Zach Wilson and he spent this past season with the 49ers before he joined Minnesota. Darnold, though, will have to compete with first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy for the job. There's no guarantee he'll be the starter when the Jets and Vikings face off in London.

Week 9 vs. Texans

This is another rematch from 2023, but one that still comes with a lot of storylines. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans learned under Saleh in San Francisco before he took over after Saleh left for the Jets job. Ryans quickly built a contender in 2023 — his first year as a head coach — with rookie C.J. Stroud under center. However, Saleh beat Ryans, 30-6, this past season.

Week 13 vs. Seahawks

Geno Smith hasn't played for the Jets in a long time, but the scars of his tenure that likely remain. Smith endured a lot of frustration during his four years, including a season-ending jaw injury from the fist of one of his teammates. He's bounced around since then and became the Seahawks starting quarterback in 2022. He also beat the Jets handily that year. But, it's always nice to take down your old club.

Week 16 vs. Rams

The Jets' match with the Rams could be a good one. Not only are both teams vying for a playoff spot in competitive divisions with aging quarterbacks, but the Rams hired the Jets' old offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, in 2022 following his amicable departure from New York. LaFleur was a first-time OC when he joined Saleh from their time with the 49ers and failed to build a cohesive offense with Wilson. He's had a year to learn under Rams head coach Sean McVay and work with some of the best offensive players in the game. Now, LaFleur will face his old mentor and the defense he knows a lot about.

New York Jets schedule 2024

Here is the Jets' full schedule, including dates, times, and location: