Throughout the regular season, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange, Susanna Weir and Jack Bell will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.

What Are Your Expectations for the Jets’ Offense With Tyrod Taylor Starting at QB?

EA: It will be interesting to see how many designed runs and RPOs will be in the Jets’ offensive gameplan. Over the course of his 15 seasons, Tyrod Taylor has averaged 4.3 attempts and 24.2 rush yards a game. Justin Fields, who had 17 carries in his first 7+ quarters with the Jets, has averaged 8.5 attempts and 54 yards over 52 pro appearances. Taylor (6-1, 217) will be challenged out of the gate by Todd Bowles’ trademark pressure packages. Last season, the Bucs defense had the second-highest blitz rate (38.9%) and eighth-highest pressure rate (35.8%). Their front will miss a big piece in the middle though as DT Calijah Kancey, who racked up 11.5 sacks in 2023-24, sustained a season-ending torn pec and Bowles indicated the Bucs will use a rotation next to Vita Vea. Taylor and the Jets have to find a way to make Tampa Bay pay for its aggressiveness and that means on multiple areas of the field. Taylor throws a great deep ball and vertical success should be able to create some room for Jets’ playmakers to operate. The Bucs have been good against the run, but they rank 26th in pass yards/play (7.14) and they have yet to record a takeaway. The experienced Taylor exudes confidence and I’d anticipate the Jets get into a better early rhythm Sunday.

RL: I’d expect to see a Jets offense that looks similar to the unit that played well under Justin Fields vs. Pittsburgh. Sure, there will be some stylistic differences between the two. Fields at 26 has the athleticism and aspirations of NFL youth. Taylor at 36 is a football “old-timer” yet has the experience and honed skills from 16 pro seasons. But they share key QB traits as well. Both are mobile — since 2000, Fields’ 5.99 yards/rush is fifth among all QBs, while Taylor’s 5.61 is 11th. Both have protected the pigskin — Fields recently with only 2 individual giveaways (0 INTs) in his last 9 starts, Taylor for his entire career with only 35 giveaways in 95 career games. I’ve mentioned before about TT’s drive production as the Jets backup since last year, with 4 TD passes on 5 drives that have lasted on average 10.2 plays and 57.8 yards — stats crazy! Of course, those metrics will return to earth with a full game at Tampa Bay. But the Bucs’ defense, stiff against the run but soft vs. the pass, could be exploited just to allow Taylor to get the Jets on track in 2025 with his first win in his first start since the ’23 season finale for the Giants over the Eagles.