The New York Jets' 2023 campaign essentially ended mere moments into the Aaron Rodgers dream. With Rodgers now back healthy after rehabbing his season-ending Achilles injury, clear goals have been laid out for the 2024 season. It's Super Bowl or bust in East Rutherford.
The Jets dominated 2023's offseason headlines from the moment they acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade on April 26. The hype train came to a screeching halt when Rodgers' season ended four snaps into his debut. What transpired was another disappointing 7-10 campaign, their fourth consecutive season with double-digit losses.
Rodgers' injury served as the scapegoat for the Jets' timid showing. Head coach Robert Saleh was retained despite posting an 18-33 record through three seasons in charge. Saleh didn't make any major alterations to his coaching staff either, with both Nathaniel Hackett and Jeff Ulbrich returning as the coordinators.
The 2024 season will clearly be their last opportunity to achieve greatness. The soon-to-be 41-year-old Rodgers is entering a contract year and it's unclear if he'll continue playing past this season. If Rodgers miraculously returns to the Jets for his age-42 campaign after failing to win a Super Bowl, it'll likely be under the guidance of a new coaching staff.
8️⃣ WEEKS UNTIL WEEK 1 pic.twitter.com/GXl1osfogJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 15, 2024
The sense of urgency has been evident from general manager Joe Douglas this offseason. Necessary upgrades have been made to an offensive line that allowed the fourth-most sacks (64) last season. Eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith was signed to be the new left tackle. Douglas even doubled down by drafting Olu Fashanu with the 11th pick as a future solution at the position.
Left guard John Simpson was signed in free agency. The Jets also acquired veteran right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Needless to say, every leaf has been overturned in an attempt to ensure Rodgers isn't sidelined again.
In case protection wasn't enough, the Jets also made upgrades to the supporting cast. Two-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Williams was signed following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers. A third-round pick was used on former Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley. Together, they'll join ascending superstar Garrett Wilson to form a deep and diverse trio of receivers.
Though the majority of offseason resources were spent to better support Rodgers, the Jets didn't neglect the defense, which is Saleh's specialty. Elite pass rusher Haason Reddick was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Reddick and the Jets are already involved in a contract-related standoff, but he'll be a major help as someone who totaled 50.5 sacks across his previous four seasons.
"Hasson Reddick is not playing for $14 million this year. I don't blame him, he shouldn't do it. Nick Bosa makes $32 million a year. Why should Haason Reddick be playing the last year of his deal for less than half of what he's worth?"
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) June 17, 2024
— @RossTuckerNFL
(via @WIPMorningShow) pic.twitter.com/EuFUYAqRNW
The Jets are all-in on Rodgers. If there was a fleeting thought entering the 2023 season that Zach Wilson may still be his successor, that pipedream quickly dissipated, but not before Wilson disappointed one final time and clashed with coaches before being traded to the Denver Broncos earlier this summer. Rodgers is Plan A, and there is no Plan B.
No team is arguably entering the 2024 season with more pressure applied to their shoulders. The New York media will be absolutely relentless if the Jets fall significantly short of expectations. Winning Super Bowl LIX is the ultimate goal given the short-lived championship window that remains.
