Getty Image / Al Pereira
The New York Jets took a big step forward this season.
After years of struggling to be relevant in the AFC East, the Jets actually gave themselves a shot at a playoff spot this year.
The team made major improvements on the defensive side of the ball, allowing the 4th least points per game in the NFL.
They also learned last night that the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year winners both came fro their roster this year.
Unfortunately, there was one big thing that held them back. Their quarterback play was awful.
Zach Wilson was bad enough this year that the team benched him for Mike White, who was also pretty bad.
Now, the Jets head into the offseason as one of the teams looking for a starting quarterback.
Yesterday Jets owner Woody Johnson was asked about the team’s pursuit of Aaron Rodgers and he immediately acknowledged that their biggest weakness this season was the quarterback position.
Jets owner Woody Johnson on their search for a veteran QB and if Aaron Rodgers is possibly on their radar: pic.twitter.com/FRnAOInWBx
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) February 10, 2023
Johnson also pointed out that the offense as a whole regressed as a result of the bad quarterback play and discussed bringing in a veteran to get things back on track for the young talent that they do have.
While Zach Wilson’s poor play wasn’t enough to hold Garrett Wilson from winning OROY, he clearly had a negative impact on Elijah Moore.
Moore was seen by many as a great breakout candidate for the 2022 season after somewhat of a disappointing rookie season. That breakout never came.
Moore couldn’t get on the same page as his quarterbacks this year and only made 37 catches in his 2nd NFL season. He even ended up requesting a trade in the middle of the season.
If whatever veteran the Jets end up with is able to unlock Moore’s potential, the Jets offense could be just about as dangerous as their defense in 2023 with Garrett Wilson having another year to develop and Breece Hall returning from his knee injury.