{"id":302878,"date":"2025-08-20T09:17:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T09:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/302878\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T09:17:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T09:17:09","slug":"three-bold-predictions-for-the-2025-new-york-jets-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/302878\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Bold Predictions for the 2025 New York Jets \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A new era of New York Jets football is here.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RodgAa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a> is out, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FielJu00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Justin Fields<\/a> in. Robert Saleh is out, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GlenAa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aaron Glenn<\/a> in. Joe Douglas is out, Darren Mougey in.<\/p>\n<p>New York\u2019s 2025 offseason was a full-blown attempt to rebuild a fractured and aging roster with a disciplined and determined squad. Time will tell, but the positive buzz stemming from Florham Park during training camp suggests that Glenn is establishing a tight-knit, winning culture \u2014 something Saleh failed to do over four years with the team.<\/p>\n<p>With new faces at quarterback, offensive tackle, cornerback, head coach, and general manager, among others, there\u2019s bound to be a few surprises from the Jets this year.<\/p>\n<p>Here are three bold but semi-realistic predictions for New York in 2025:<\/p>\n<p>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WilsGa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Garrett Wilson<\/a> eclipses 1,500 receiving yards<\/p>\n<p>Outside of budding star Garrett Wilson, the Jets\u2019 depth at wide receiver is extremely thin. While rookie Arian Smith and veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/ReynJo00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Josh Reynolds<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LazaAl00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Allen Lazard<\/a> are solid complementary options, the team lacks a bona fide No. 2 or even No. 3 wideout. From an inability to separate to routinely dropping passes, Gang Green\u2019s pass catchers leave plenty to be desired.<\/p>\n<p>Last season, Lazard tallied just 530 yards. Reynolds had even fewer with 194. 2024 third-round pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CorlMa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Malachi Corley<\/a> had a disastrous rookie campaign, which included multiple healthy scratches and just 16 total receiving yards.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Enter a possible mega-breakout season from Wilson.<\/p>\n<p>Without a viable No. 2 receiver and a rookie tight end, Mason Taylor, who may face growing pains in year one, Fields has a golden opportunity to make his reunion with Wilson memorable. After playing together for two seasons at Ohio State, where they made a National Championship game appearance, their chemistry should be apparent from the get-go.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the remainder of New York\u2019s receivers struggle in 2025, Wilson will be the focal point in its offense and be Fields\u2019 primary target.<\/p>\n<p>Wilson (cont.)<\/p>\n<p>With abysmal quarterback play throughout his first three seasons, Wilson has still totaled over 1,000 yards each year. He burst onto the scene as a rookie with 1,103 yards in 2022 and followed that sensational year up with 1,104 last season\u2014all that came with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WilsZa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Zach Wilson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=WhitMi01,WhitMi20&amp;search=Mike+White&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mike White<\/a>, a 40-year-old Rodgers and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BoylTi00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tim Boyle<\/a> at quarterback.<\/p>\n<p>While Fields struggles to sense pressure and takes several unnecessary sacks, he\u2019s proven to get the most of his receivers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=MoorD.00,MoorDJ99&amp;search=D.J.+Moore&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">D.J. Moore<\/a> had a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats\/_\/id\/3915416\/dj-moore\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">career-high 1,364 yards<\/a> in Chicago with Fields at the helm in 2023. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AustCa00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Calvin Austin<\/a> even nearly recorded 100 yards in a game with the former Bear at quarterback.<\/p>\n<p>No Jet has met the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats\/_\/id\/9705\/brandon-marshall\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">1,500-yard threshold since Brandon Marshall in 2015.<\/a> Wilson reaching the mark may be a stretch, but it isn\u2019t out of the question because of his connection with Fields and New York\u2019s lack of depth at the position.<\/p>\n<p>2. Jets Offensive Line is a Top-8 Unit in Football<\/p>\n<p>The Jets offensive line has been in flux since the glory days of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MangNi20.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nick Mangold<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FergDB20.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">D\u2019Brickashaw Ferguson<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Olu Fashanu:<br \/>6&#8217;6.<br \/>312 lbs.<\/p>\n<p>D&#8217;Brickashaw Ferguson:<br \/>6&#8217;6.<br \/>310 lbs.<\/p>\n<p>Olu Fashanu is our up and coming D&#8217;Brickashaw Ferguson Vol. 2.0. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hIn0FPNM7j\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/hIn0FPNM7j<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Defense Wins Championships (@DWC_1985) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DWC_1985\/status\/1955084173850423453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">August 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ever since Mangold and Ferguson departed New York, the Jets front office has made several offensive line blunders in both free agency and the draft. Whether it was never getting the most out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BectMe00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mekhi Becton,<\/a> or trotting out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EdogCh00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chuma Edoga<\/a> on a weekly basis, offensive line production hasn\u2019t been a strength over the last ten years.<\/p>\n<p>That said, the Jets have hit on quite a few offensive line draft picks since 2021. Joe Douglas had many whiffs during his tenure in New York, but selecting Joe Tippman, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/V\/VeraAl00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Alijah Vera-Tucker<\/a>, and Olu Fashanu has set the team\u2019s OL unit up well for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<p>Once a glaring weakness, New York\u2019s interior OL is likely the strongest link of the unit. Left guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SimpJo00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">John Simpson<\/a> silenced doubters with a tremendous 2024 season, posting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/nfl\/players\/john-simpson\/41715\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">77.3 PFF grade<\/a> (16th of all guards) and allowing just three sacks. On the right side, Vera-Tucker continues to hold down the fort. He barely topped Simpson with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/nfl\/players\/alijah-vera-tucker\/57107\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">77.7 grade<\/a>. More notably, both (especially Simpson) have shown steady improvement each year of their careers.<\/p>\n<p>Another strong year would likely catapult both Simpson and Vera-Tucker into the top five of their respective positions. If Vera-Tucker can remain healthy (most significant concern with him), there\u2019s little denying how potent he can be from both a run and pass blocking standpoint.<\/p>\n<p>OL (cont.)<\/p>\n<p>While the tackle spots feature two unproven commodities in Fashanu and rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/theleadsm.com\/jets-take-long-term-approach-in-darren-mougeys-first-draft\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Armand Membou<\/a>, even having league-average production from them would suffice. Fashanu had an up-and-down rookie campaign, but ended on a promising note before suffering a <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/12\/24\/sports\/jets-rookie-olu-fashanu-done-for-the-season-with-foot-injury\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">season-ending plantar fasciitis injury<\/a> in Week 16.<\/p>\n<p>Although Membou is raw and will likely face a learning curve adjusting to blitzes and stunts at the NFL level, his toughness and physical traits provoke optimism. Additionally, New York\u2019s substantial upgrade at offensive line coach from Keith Carter to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HeidSt00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Steve Heiden<\/a> (former Lions TE coach) should allow for a relatively smooth transition.<\/p>\n<p>At center, Joe Tippman is looking to build off an above-average sophomore season. Though he\u2019ll have to shore up his snapping technique, there\u2019s little evidence to believe he won\u2019t be quite solid again in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Headlined by improved coaching, youth and tremendous guard play, the Brick Wall of East Rutherford should be in full force this fall.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Jets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#Jets<\/a> offensive line has allowed a 15.9% pressure rate through 2 games.<\/p>\n<p>3rd-lowest among teams that have played multiple games:<\/p>\n<p>1. Rams<br \/>2. Steelers<br \/>3. Jets<br \/>4. Bucs<br \/>5. Giants<\/p>\n<p>The Jets&#8217; five starting offensive linemen have combined to allow 1 pressure.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Michael_Nania\/status\/1957192430542848432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">August 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3. Johnson and McDonald combine for 25+ sacks<\/p>\n<p>Is the New York sack exchange restocking for 2025? Not quite like the 1980s, but the Jets defensive front should wreak havoc on many opposing defenses this fall.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JohnJe07.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jermaine Johnson<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McDoWi00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Will McDonald<\/a> will not only spearhead New York\u2019s pass rush in 2025, but both will have double-digit sack seasons.<\/p>\n<p>Though Johnson missed nearly the entire 2024 season with a torn Achilles, his production in 2023 (where he totaled 7.5 sacks and anchored New York\u2019s defensive line) signaled that his raw talent can take pressure of the team\u2019s secondary and surrounding defensive pieces. With a combination of speed and power, his ability to cut inside and get to the quarterback will be a dream for Glenn to have.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson racking up 10-12 sacks may seem like a long shot, since he\u2019s likely to be rusty early in the year, but a three-sack game against a poor Miami or New England offensive line won\u2019t make it too far-fetched.<\/p>\n<p>Despite his woeful run defense, McDonald is ready to ascend into a superstar from a pass-rushing standpoint. The 2023 first-round pick erupted for 10.5 sacks last year. There\u2019s little reason to believe he\u2019ll regress playing on a defensive line with Johnson and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillQu00.htm?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=theleadsm.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-17_pfr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Quinnen Williams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With Aaron Glenn at the helm dialing up blitz packages and fooling offensive coordinators, Johnson and McDonald should have career years in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>            <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new era of New York Jets football is here. Aaron Rodgers is out, Justin Fields in. Robert&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":302879,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2051],"tags":[2316,798,7,2310,8142,226,1917,255,2321,2097,6,1513,20113],"class_list":{"0":"post-302878","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-jets","8":"tag-alijah-vera-tucker","9":"tag-armand-membou","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-garrett-wilson","12":"tag-jermaine-johnson","13":"tag-jets","14":"tag-new-york","15":"tag-new-york-jets","16":"tag-newyork","17":"tag-newyorkjets","18":"tag-nfl","19":"tag-olu-fashanu","20":"tag-will-mcdonald"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115060345885451111","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/302878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=302878"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/302878\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/302879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=302878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=302878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=302878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}