Taking the conscious plunge into a superstitious New York Jets fan\u2019s mind is a dangerous endeavor. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not that superstition coupled with sports is a foreign idea; more to the point, desperation invades the mind with intrusive thoughts. When a human unconditionally (and sometimes uncontrollably) loves something out of tangible reach, and out of the scope of one\u2019s control, a significant chunk of the brain is reserved to handle such demons. <\/p>\n
Agonizingly, I relate to this plight. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a superstition thing<\/p>\n
I\u2019m old enough to remember Woody Johnson\u2019s first decade of ownership. Recognizing each offseason\u2019s topsy-turvy nature was, well \u2026 in my nature. <\/p>\n
Once Bill Parcells stepped away from coaching, fans were lukewarm on the Al Groh idea. Yet, despite a disappointing final week in Baltimore, the Jets were fascinating and entertaining, particularly in the first half of the season when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. <\/p>\n
After Herm Edward\u2019s 2002 triumph\u2014the organization\u2019s most recent AFC East championship\u2014Chad Pennington\u2019s preseason injury destroyed 2003. Yet, the 2004 season nearly took them to the AFC championship game following that bitter disappointment a year prior. <\/p>\n
(Oh, Doug Brien, where in the world are you these days?)<\/p>\n
In stepped Eric Mangini, whose 2006 duties were deemed heavy. The general consensus viewed the Jets as weak on talent and in rebuilding mode. <\/p>\n
Surprisingly, however, the no-weapon squad won 10 games and made the playoffs. A year later, with expectations high, they fell flat on their faces. <\/p>\n
Similar patterns repeated with Rex Ryan\u2019s 2009 squad, after the deflating Brett Favre experiment, and again in 2013 to a much lesser degree. Oh yeah, let\u2019s throw Mike Maccagnan\u2019s \u201caggressive rebuild\u201d in there for good measure. <\/p>\n
I think it\u2019s safe to assume just how dangerous this task is. Any Jets fan foreigner attempting to relate should be legally required to sign a waiver\u2014or those late-night \u201ccall 1-900-GET-PAID\u201d two-bit lawyer commercials will once again reign supreme. <\/p>\n
The superstitious among the Jets base expect horrifying results when the offseason is loud, and sneakily pleasant results when least expected. Therefore, as a seasoned veteran in this area, I firmly believe fans are ready to rumble on the heels of the miserable Aaron Rodgers era.<\/p>\n
Despite many of you downtrodden folks who are understandably perennially stuck in doom-and-gloom mode, this \u201csuperstition\u201d thing may provide a little life to the masses. With that in mind, yes, my people, the New York Jets roster<\/a> is much better than you think. <\/p>\n A unique identity<\/p>\n Granted, the monstrous question mark at quarterback will have to progress independently. Nobody can point to any existing positive that could prove Justin Fields will dominate in 2025 and beyond. <\/p>\n This is filthy stuff from Justin Fields. To not only plant and get north-south after evading initial pass-rush trouble\u2014while keeping his eyes down the field and on the back side\u2014is high-level modern quarterback play from the now-New York Jets quarterback. pic.twitter.com\/ArWc1K2tNP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) April 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Though it\u2019s a critical position, think about Aaron Glenn\u2019s vision for this team \u2026 <\/p>\n The Jets\u2019 sideline boss is doing everything possible to lighten the quarterback\u2019s load. <\/p>\n Drafting Armand Membou<\/a> No. 7 overall cemented the idea that Tanner Engstrand\u2019s offense will run the ball into oblivion. As I wrote in mid-March<\/a>, Glenn\u2019s vision is dead-set on Fields\u2019s legs and a one-read offense littered with rushing concepts working off of read-options, quarterback-designed runs, play-action, jet-motion, and more. <\/p>\n Glenn is relying on the evolution of this sport to trudge forward. The top rushing teams in the league now feature the best rushing signal-callers (i.e., Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, etc.). <\/p>\n If Glenn has his way, Fields will make this slow-moving evolution look more like a revolution by the end of the 2025 season. <\/p>\n Although Fields\u2019s on-field production matters greatly, the Jets are conducting business in a way that drastically lessens the quarterback\u2019s load, at least initially. <\/p>\n Where\u2019s the ceiling?<\/p>\n With the quarterback set aside, let\u2019s evaluate the rest of the depth chart and identify the most significant argument for why this Jets roster is much better than anybody thinks. <\/p>\n Where is the ceiling for each of the New York Jets players<\/a>? <\/p>\n I submit that the most meaningful players on this roster have not even come close to broaching their ceiling\u2014save for one player. <\/p>\n Sauce Gardner<\/a> is that player. <\/p>\n The two-time First-Team All-Pro commenced his professional career with a blaze. Thanks to his near-fictional blend of short-area quickness and length, Gardner became an NFL star. <\/p>\n I also believe that Sauce is one of the main reasons Aaron Glenn is here. <\/p>\n Other than Sauce, which promising Jets player has hit that elusive ceiling? <\/p>\n Sauce Gardner (CB): Yes<\/p>\n Garrett Wilson<\/a> (WR): No, but somewhat close<\/p>\n Breece Hall<\/a> (RB): No, my goodness, gracious, no<\/p>\n Jermaine Johnson<\/a> (EDGE): Not even close<\/p>\n Will McDonald (EDGE): Most likely not<\/p>\n Quinnen Williams<\/a> (IDL): No, dependent upon focus and scheming<\/p>\n