The New York Jets are all-in for 2024.
Ahead of last season, the Jets were viewed as legitimate Super Bowl contenders — and now with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and capable backup in case the worst case scenario happened again — New York is heading into 2024 with aspirations to bring home a Lombardi Trophy.
On paper, it’s hard to argue the Jets roster isn’t capable of contending with anyone in the NFL. Offensively, they have talent across the board — from running back Breece Hall — who has become one of the most dynamic ball-carriers in the league, to a wide receiving corps loaded with talent. Garrett Wilson is solidified himself as the New York Jets No. 1 wideout and has proven himself as one of the top young wideouts in the league.
The Jets made a few aggressive moves in free agency — most notably adding Mike Williams — who has thrived as a big-bodied target for the Chargers since he was drafted out of Clemson.
New York added another target for Rodgers in the NFL Draft, adding Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley in the third round. The dynamic speed threat was tabbed as Aaron Rodgers’ “favorite wide receiver” of the draft class.
Allen Lazard — a familiar target from Rodgers in Green Bay — is still on the roster but has struggled during OTAs according to reports. Some insiders believe Lazard has a chance of missing the 53-man roster if he doesn’t step his game up during training camp.
The New York Jets also made significant moves to protect their star franchise QB, adding significant talent across the offensive line. They signed former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith and added Morgan Moses from the Ravens who is a top-tier right tackle. They also drafted one of the best tackles of the 2024 class, selecting Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 overall pick in the first round.
Defensively, the Jets are loaded just like they were heading into last season. They closed out last season with the No. 3 defense in the NFL, allowing less than 300 yards per game. They added a few significant role players, adding DT Javon Kinlaw and safety Chuck Clark.
Now, it’s just a matter of the team forming an undeniable chemistry and staying healthy. On Wednesday, Williams — who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 last year with the Chargers —gave an update about his rehab and availability for the 2024 season.
New York Jets WR Mike Williams Gives Concerning Update About Availability For 2024 Season
Williams, who signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March that could be worth as much as $15 million with incentives, tore the ACL in his left knee in Week 3 last season against Minnesota. The 29-year-old wide receiver was well on his way to a big season, catching 19 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown before the injury.
He has been working with the team’s trainers during the offseason and minicamp practices.
“Just to get back to my normal self, that’s the main thing,” Williams said. “Everything it takes to get back to, you know, Mike Williams football, winning football. So, yeah, just grinding every day, doing whatever it takes.”
New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh has compared Williams’ rehab schedule to that of running back Breece Hall, who suffered a similar injury in 2022 and was brought along slowly last offseason before ramping up his workload as the season went along.
Hall was limited in the first three games of 2023 so this isn’t a great sign for fans who expect Williams to make an immediate impact.
A healthy Williams would provide a huge boost to the offense and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who also has Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee and rookie Malachi Corley among the wide receivers group.
When asked specifically about his availability for the 2024 season, the new addition to the New York Jets offense said he hopes to be ready for the season opener, but didn’t give a definite answer.
WR Mike Williams says he expects to be ready for “the season, for sure. That's my goal, to be able to go out there, play this season and give it my all, give this team a chance, you know, to win the big thing.” #Jets pic.twitter.com/fNIMyFsQVt
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 12, 2024
Anyone who has followed the career of Rodgers understands he needs a certain level of trust and chemistry with his wide receivers, so Jets fans could expect a slow start to the year for Williams.