In 2023, the Jets were the favorite of the month. In 2024, they feel like the same old team that makes fans run for rum raisins and hold onto raisins.
Director Robert Saleh likes that.
“Last year was a little bit of a tumultuous year,” Saleh told NFL Media's Steve Wyche. “A little quiet is welcome”
Loud is an understatement.The Jets have acquired a powerful weapon. hard knock. Everyone thought it would be great to have Aaron Rodgers on the team. The schedule suggested it wouldn't be easy. Losing Rodgers after just four snaps made that impossible and was widely perceived as a failure.
This year may turn out to be what last year was expected to be. But expectations will likely be lower this year, with fewer stand-alone high-profile and nationally televised games.
“Aaron, he's on a mission,” Saleh said. “He's doing rehab. I think he's in California. Obviously he's taking time for himself. He's been ready to leave since last year. So I think he's I know he's preparing. We talk to him a lot. I don't want to speak for him, but I speak for him, he's really excited about this season's offense. That’s what I’m going to say.”
Of course, a little over a week ago, the Jets had no idea they were really excited about Rodgers, as he was a potential running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. That went away almost as quickly as it surfaced, and now the Jets can focus on the job at hand for him.
”[I’m] I'm excited to attack this season and accomplish what I was supposed to accomplish a year ago,” Saleh said.
It's still not easy. The schedule isn't too demanding. They will play their own three teams twice, all four teams in the NFC West, all four teams in the AFC South, the Steelers, Broncos and Vikings.
But they will be counting on a number of older players in key positions to stay healthy through a grueling 17-game regular season and, if they qualify, the postseason.
If they can't improve, so will most of the players, coaches and executives currently on owner Woody Johnson's payroll.
