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Go To: FlashUpdate / August Update Main Page
| New York Jets | ||||||||||
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Go To: Off-season Team Review
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| Most Recent News Updates: | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Saleh: Hall, Cook Will Both Play Week 1; Will Be Cautious With Hall (9/04/10:10 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- More RB Speculation; This Time The Belief Is Cook Will Be Primary Back (8/31/18:51 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- More On The Possibile Division Of Workload Between Cook, Hall (8/31/09:44 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Saleh: Jets Will Be Smart About Hall's Return (8/30/11:02 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Cook Says He's Ready To Go Play (8/30/00:14 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Cook Practicing For The First Time Since Signing (8/29/20:33 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Jets Planning To Release RB Knight (8/28/13:40 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Enjoyed His Jets Debut; QB Calls It A Special Moment (8/27/21:12 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Jets Name Becton The Starting RT; O-Line Is Set (8/27/14:58 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Sharp In Brief Appearance In Exhibition Finale (8/26/20:43 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Lazard Dealing With A Shoulder Issue; WR Should Be Ready For Week 1 (8/24/11:38 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- More On Corey Davis Annnouncing His Retirement (8/23/19:54 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Gets Some Help With OT Brown Returning (8/23/18:00 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- WR Davis Retiring From The NFL (8/23/14:12 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Fine Getting His First Exhibition Action Since 2018 (8/23/00:35 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Corey Davis Missing Time To Attend To Personal Matter (8/22/18:45 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Will Play In Exhibition Finale (8/20/14:56 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Running Back Depth Will Start Shaking Out Soon (8/20/00:03 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Cook Might Give Jets One Of The NFL's Best Backfields (8/18/09:33 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- RB Crockett Released; Will Other Moves Come? (8/17/11:34 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Hall Still Experiencing Occasional Soreness (8/17/01:13 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Not As Worried About His O-Line As Saleh (8/16/21:12 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Dalvin Cook Reporting To Jets Today (8/16/14:24 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Hall: Addition Of Cook Will Create Good Competition (8/16/01:13 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Appears To Be Really Happy... Mostly (8/15/21:12 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Tweaks His Left Calf; Continues Practicing (8/15/15:54 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Breece Hall Coming Off PUP; Will Be Limited In Practice (8/15/08:28 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Trying To Get A Handle On Cook's Impact On Hall, Jets Offense (8/14/20:52 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Dalvin Cook Signing One-Year Deal With Jets (8/14/18:05 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Trying To Get A Handle On Wilson's Ceiling (8/09/20:30 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Wilson Working His Way Back From Ankle Issue; Lazard Solid Tuesday (8/09/10:35 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Has A Rough Tuesday; Still More Good Than Bad For Veteran QB (8/09/00:20 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Saleh Has No Update On Dalvin Cook... But The Coach Thinks Highly Of Him (8/08/18:17 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Report: Jets Interested In Ezekiel Elliott (8/08/09:14 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Rodgers Has Been Sharp Throughout Camp (8/08/00:52 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Saleh Reminds Players To Be Careful With Their QB (8/08/00:38 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Jets Waive QB Streveler (8/08/00:18 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Wilson Doesn't Get Much Work In Hall Of Fame Game (8/08/00:08 CT) | ||||||||||
| NYJ -- Initial Issues And Injuries Of Note (8/08/00:00 CT) | ||||||||||
Current News Updates
9/04 Jets coach Robert Saleh tells reporters that while RB Breece Hall won't practice today, it's merely a maintenance day. Hall and Dalvin Cook will both play in the opener and the team will be smart with Hall in his return.8/31 Following up on the ongoing story. ... According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, we shouldn't be surprised if running back Dalvin Cook is the Jets' leading rusher in the first half of the season. The Jets still love Breece Hall, and Graziano believes the plan is for Hall to be the lead guy in the backfield by the end of this season. But he's also coming off a season-ending knee injury, and one of the reasons for the Cook signing was so New York could take the pressure off Hall's recovery timetable. The Jets view Cook as the ideal runner for their scheme, as well as a guy who can make big plays as a receiver out of the backfield. They like his ability to block in the passing game. He likely will open the season as something close to a three-down back and remain that at least through September, while the team increases Hall's workload carefully and gradually. 8/31 As previously noted, Dalvin Cook fully practiced for the first time Tuesday and should be good to go in Week 1, though he still has to work his way back into game shape. According to The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt, it will be interesting to see how the Jets split carries between Breece Hall and Cook in Week 1. Rosenblatt went on to note Hall hasn’t been tackled to the ground since suffering a torn ACL last October, so it’s too early to say if he’ll look like he did as a rookie. But the early returns in practice have been promising. Hall is moving with explosiveness and looks ready to take on a bigger role in the passing game, too. Put that in perspective with HC Robert Saleh suggesting a cautious approach with Hall, who recently said he's still experiencing some soreness in the knee. Also worth noting, Aaron Rodgers told reporters this week that Hall "caught a pass and hit 21-plus MPH and he just looks like he's cruising." 8/30 As previously noted, Dalvin Cook practiced for the first time since finalizing a one-year, $7 million contract on Aug. 14, declaring afterward that he did "everything" in practice and will be ready for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football." Now, one of the big questions surrounding the Jets is how they will deploy Cook and Breece Hall, who is 10 months removed from ACL surgery. "I don't know. I'm kind of excited to see," Cook said. "I've got a great skill set. I come with a unique skill set. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, and I can be explosive in any position on the offense. I'm just looking forward to how they use me." Hall returned to practice two weeks ago but didn't play in the preseason. He hasn't played a game since Oct. 23, when he suffered his season-ending knee injury against the Denver Broncos. The current plan is to play him in the opener, but the Jets will be cautious. "We've never been worried about his availability; we just have to be smart," coach Robert Saleh said. "The excitement is, 'Well, let's just throw him out there,' but we need to be smart, we need to be diligent. I think in his mind, he probably feels like he can take 30 touches, but we just have to be smart with him, make sure we're constantly communicating with him and just being diligent." Cook, released by the Minnesota Vikings in June after four straight Pro Bowl seasons, said he couldn't speculate on his potential workload for the opener even though he believes he's in excellent shape. "You never know until you go out there and do it," he said. "I think once you're out there, everything goes out the window. It's kind of like, 'Let's play ball.' The conditioning part is going to take care of itself. Other than that, I've been working my tail off. I'm ready to go play. ..." Stay tuned. More to come. 8/30 Following up on the previous item. ... Dalvin Cook practiced for the first time since signing his one-year, $7 million contract on Aug. 14. He reported afterward that he did “everything” and then declared himself “ready to go play” the season opener against the Bills. “We’ve never been worried about his availability; we just have to be smart,” HC Robert Saleh said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “The excitement is, ‘Well, let’s just throw him out there,’ but we need to be smart, we need to be diligent. I think in his mind, he probably feels like he can take 30 touches, but we just have to be smart with him, make sure we’re constantly communicating with him and just being diligent.” As Profootballtalk.com notes, Cook doesn’t know his role yet, but he does know that he and Breece Hall will be “something special together.” Hall averaged 14 touches in the seven games he played as a rookie last season, while Cook handled the ball 18 times per game in 17 games with the Vikings. “I’m kind of excited to see,” Cook said of his role. “I’ve got a great skill set. I come with a unique skill set. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, and I can be explosive in any position on the offense. I’m just looking forward to how they use me. ...” Hall hasn’t played since Oct. 23 when he tore his ACL, and Cook is coming off left shoulder surgery in February. 8/29 After signing two weeks ago, RB Dalvin Cook is practicing today for the first time this summer. Cook recently became a first-time father, was spending time with Dalvin Jr., and is now ready to gear up for the Monday night opener vs. the Bills and his younger brother James. 8/28 The Jets are releasing RB Zonovan Knight, a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He received some interest on the trade front, which could indicate a claim on Wednesday. ... We'll be posting complete moves as they're reported through Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline on our NFL Roster Cuts page. 8/27 Aaron Rodgers felt butterflies in his much-anticipated debut. He also felt love from the crowd, which gave him a loud ovation when he entered the game Saturday night at Met Life Stadium. "A special moment," he said after the Jets' 32-24 win over the New York Giants. The night couldn't have gone much better for Rodgers, who played two series, threw a touchdown pass and emerged unscathed in his first preseason action since 2018. "I got in, didn't get hurt, scored," he said succinctly. "A good night." Rodgers played only nine snaps before yielding to backup Zach Wilson. His final pass was vintage Rodgers, a textbook back-shoulder pass to a well-covered Garrett Wilson. The ball found its way through a tight window before backup cornerback Gemon Green was able to adjust. The Jets had a run called, but they changed to the pass when they recognized a cover-zero blitz by the Giants. "Just a great throw from Aaron," said Wilson, who had three receptions for 30 yards. "He's so precise and has an answer to everything we see. So I just have to do my job at that point and make the catch." The Jets' starting offense wasn't whole. Three key players were missing - running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook and left tackle Duane Brown. All three are expected to be ready for the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. 8/27 Following the New York Jets' 32-24 preseason win over the New York Giants, HC Robert Saleh has named Mekhi Becton the starting right tackle for Week 1. A few weeks ago, Becton's outlook was cloudy. The Jets weren't sure if Becton could make it through practice at one point in camp, much less an entire season. The No. 11 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft started 13 games -- at left tackle -- as a rookie but only one the past two seasons combined. The Jets need all the help they could get. The offensive line has been a source of consternation in training camp, with various injuries preventing the Jets from lining up their preferred starting five. After Max Mitchell failed to win the right tackle job, Becton returned to practice and started to work there. He played 25 snaps against the Bucs and was out there with the starters on Saturday night, protecting Aaron Rodgers' blind side. After a rocky first series, Rodgers led the starting offense to a touchdown drive. Assuming Becton is in the starting lineup Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, it would be his first regular-season action since Sept. 12, 2021. He has suffered two separate season-ending knee injuries in his brief career. 8/26 The Jets hope to see Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson hook up for a lot of touchdowns during the 2023 season and they got their first taste of the partnership in Saturday’s preseason finale. Rodgers capped the second Jets drive of Saturday night's win over the Giants with a bullet to a well-covered Wilson for a 14-yard touchdown. It was the third catch of the night for Wilson and Rodgers threw another pass to Wilson that resulted in a defensive pass interference penalty. That was it for Rodgers, who went 5 for 8 for 47 yards and the TD in his two series before being replaced by Zach Wilson. And Jets fans, many of whom were anxious about Rodgers playing in a preseason game, could breathe a sigh of relief. Rodgers' next appearance will be the regular-season opener against the visiting AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. ... Rodgers played behind four-fifths of the Jets' starting offensive line. The only missing starter was left tackle Duane Brown, who is expected to play against the the opener. Also out were running backs Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall. They, too, are expected for Week 1 as the Jets begin to work on creating the same kind of chemistry against the Bills on the opening Monday night of the season. WR Mecole Hardman hurt his finger but HC Robert Saleh said “he’s fine. ..." You can access complete stats for Saturday's Week 3 exhibition finale via our exclusive Fantasy BoxScore. 8/24 WR Allen Lazard left Wednesday’s practice early because of a shoulder injury, but the team is not worried about him missing any regular season time. HC Robert Saleh said at a Thursday press conference (via Profootballtalk.com) that Lazard has an AC joint sprain. The injury will keep him out of the team’s final practice before Saturday’s preseason finale, but Saleh said that they expect Lazard to be ready to go for the season opener against the Bills. 8/22 Corey Davis is stepping away from the NFL. The 28-year-old informed the team that he plans to take time away from football and won't be with them to begin the season. Davis announced his intentions on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon. "For some time now I've been contemplating stepping away from the sport of football," Davis wrote. "This decision has not been easy. Although I am a deep person, I am a man of few words. I've been searching my heart for what to do and I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time. I have more blessings than I could have ever imagined -- I have an amazing family, a beautiful wife and two healthy children that I look forward to spending more time with. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have had and will continue to have on my journey. Thank you to my family and friends and the Jets organization for supporting me through this process. ..." The team later placed Davis on the reserve/retired list, per the league transaction wire. The No. 5 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2017, Davis generated 2,851 yards and 11 touchdowns on 207 catches despite battling injuries throughout his four seasons there. Davis had his best season in 2020, earning career-highs with 984 yards and five scores. The Jets signed Davis to a three-year, $37.5 million contract in 2021, hoping to build on his best season and play the No. 1 role in a young wideout corps. It never worked out that way, as Davis missed eight games in 2021 due to injury and another five in 2022. In two seasons with Gang Green, Davis has combined for 1,028 yards and six scores on 66 catches. Due $10.5 million in 2023 with no guaranteed money, Davis has been the subject of trade and cut rumors this offseason. Despite the gossip, HC Robert Saleh glowed about Davis this offseason, noting back in May that Davis would "be on the team" and adding that the 6-f3 wideout's big body brought a different element to the offense. In six NFL seasons, Davis has generated 273 catches for 3,879 yards and 17 TDs. 8/22 Aaron Rodgers finally has his blindside protector. According to ESPN.com, left tackle Duane Brown was activated Wednesday from the physically unable to perform list, meaning he's cleared to practice as the Jets continue their final week of training camp. Brown, who underwent rotator cuff surgery after the season, will be ready for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, coach Robert Saleh said. He won't play in the preseason finale; the Jets face the New York Giants on Saturday, with Rodgers slated to make his Jets debut. The hope is that Brown, who turns 38 on Aug. 30, will practice Thursday. With Brown on the PUP list, the Jets have rotated Max Mitchell and Billy Turner at left tackle, neither of whom stood out. Barring a setback, Brown is expected to start at left tackle in the regular season. The offensive line, a trouble spot in camp, finally is starting to take shape. Former first-round pick Mekhi Becton, a backup throughout camp, will start against the Giants, meaning it's his job to lose. Connor McGovern retained the center position. The guards are returning starters Alijah Vera-Tucker and Laken Tomlinson. All they need is Brown back in the lineup. 8/23 According to Connor Hughes, veteran New York Jets WR Corey Davis is retiring from the NFL. Davis retires 28 years old. 8/23 Following up on the ongoing story. ... The NFL will get its first look at Aaron Rodgers in game action with the Jets in this Saturday’s game against the Giants. HC Robert Saleh confirmed reports that Rodgers will make his first preseason appearance since 2018 as he prepares for his first season with the AFC East team. Gaining further comfort with new teammates and a new offense are the biggest reasons why Rodgers is getting on the field this week and Saleh said that his belief is that “the best interest of our team is going out and playing some football together. “You can’t coach scared, you can’t play scared,” Saleh said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you. Knock on wood, everyone will be fine.” The star quarterback, in his first season with the Jets, wants to play Saturday’s game. “There wasn’t much of a conversation with Robert,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “I think he was a little more nervous I might have said no, but I was already leaning toward asking him to play. So, it was an easy conversation.” Rodgers has not played in the preseason since 2018 when he played seven snaps in the second week of exhibition play. He was supposed to play one game in the summer of 2019 but poor field conditions in Winnipeg scrapped the plan. “There’s always that risk-reward,” Rodgers said. “I think over the years it just hasn’t made sense based on a number of different factors. I used to enjoy playing in the preseason back in my younger years, just to kind of maybe take that first hit or feel the nerves on the first drive. So, I look forward to being out there.” Saleh didn’t specify how long Rodgers and other starters will play, but did say he wants “those guys go through transition, get to the sideline, have some adjustments, get back to the field, play with those adjustments.” He added he’d like to see that happen “a few times,” so it sounds like Rodgers and company should get a fairly extended run this weekend. 8/22 WR Corey Davis remains away from the team as he deals with a personal matter, HC Robert Saleh announced. 8/20 Aaron Rodgers remained on the sideline for Saturday’s game against the Buccaneers, but it looks like he’ll be in uniform the next time the team takes the field. HC Robert Saleh said early in training camp that Rodgers would definitely not play in the team’s first three preseason games, but that he might play in the preseason finale against the Giants. Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that the decision has been made and the Rodgers will be in the lineup next Saturday. Rodgers did not play in the preseason the last few years with the Jets, but said earlier this summer that he “wouldn’t mind” getting in a game this summer because he’s playing in a new offense with new teammates. As Profootballtalk.com suggests, with Rodgers in the lineup, the Jets will likely be playing the rest of their offensive starters and the performance of their offensive line will be watched closely given concerns about how that unit is coming together during camp. 8/20 As NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman noted, with Breece Hall off PUP and recent signing Dalvin Cook assured a roster spot, the rest of the team's backs are left to battle it out this preseason for the few remaining slots. Michael Carter, the third-year back, didn't play against Tampa Bay, while Zonovan Knight, last year's breakout, got the start and rookie Israel Abanikanda played in the second half -- that is until he was knocked out with a thigh injury. Knight finished with 53 yards on 11 touches, while the speedy Abanikanda logged 31 yards on five touches. (In a twist, Zach Wilson led all rushers with 41 yards, thanks to a 35-yard scramble.) GM Joe Douglas told the local broadcast that "tough decisions" were ahead of him as it pertains to the Jets' RBs. Whether that means trading or waiving players ahead of cutdowns remains to be seen. But it appears, with Cook in tow, there are too many cooks in New York's backfield. 8/18 On the day Dalvin Cook first spoke to New York reporters after signing with the Jets, another running back made his long-awaited return to team drills. And with second-year pro Breece Hall impressing in his first 11-on-11 work since suffering a torn ACL last year -- plus Cook now in tow -- the Jets might be able to boast one of the most talented backfields in the NFL. Cook spoke Thursday about the quality of his new running back room and indicated that he has no concerns about the team being able to keep its stable of backs happy and busy. "Obviously, when you dig deep and look into the roster, I think all the pieces are put together," Cook said. "I think I can come help these guys. When you look at the running back room with M.C. (Michael Carter), Breece, Bam (Zonovan Knight) and all those guys, with me just adding to it, I think it could be something special." The concern for Hall is his return from ACL surgery. HC Robert Saleh said earlier in the week that he's “very confident” Hall will be ready for the regular-season opener against the Bills on Sept. 11, and the Jets saw evidence of that in Thursday's practice, with Hall ripping off a long run that might have been a touchdown in a game setting. "He still can run," Saleh said, "that's for damn sure." And just for emphasis, Saleh added: "He scored. No one touched him." The Jets' offensive line concerns still loom, but it's remarkable how much their offensive talent has improved over the past few years. Now they have a unit led by Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Hall and Cook headlining a strong RB group and standouts Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and others at receiver. Cook said that Rodgers was a big factor in his signing with the Jets. They battled head to head the past few years as members of the Vikings and Packers, respectively, and though they were pretty evenly matched in terms of head-to-head record, Cook saw enough of Rodgers' brilliance to know he wanted to be on the same team as him if possible. "Being on the other side of that for the last six years, you know, I couldn't be on the other side no more," Cook said. "So it was just like I got a chance (to) go join him and help him win. ...That was a big thing to come over here." 8/17 Damarea Crockett has been released, in the aftermath of Dalvin Cook’s signing. The team announced the move on Thursday. Crockett signed with the Jets in July, after missing all of 2022 with a torn ACL. He signed with the Texans in 2019. In 2021, Crockett appeared in 12 games with the Broncos. Crockett is the first running back to go. As Profootballtalk.com suggests, he might not be the last. The depth chart at running back currently consists of Breece Hall, Cook, Michael Carter, Bam Knight, rookie Isreal Abanikanda, and Travis Dye. 8/17 Even with the team adding Dalvin Cook this week, the Jets had been pointing to this week for Breece Hall's activation. HC Robert Saleh said Hall "looks freaking good" but added that they will "take our time with him." Hall, coming off ACL surgery, said he expects to be ready for Week 1, but he stopped short of saying it's a sure thing. He said it's up to the trainers and coaches. Admitting he was "an emotional train wreck" during the toughest times of his rehab, Hall said his knee is sound, although he also said he still experiences occasional knee soreness and still wonders whether he can make certain cuts. He downplayed Tuesday's return. "Just another extra step in the journey," he said. ... We'll be watching that journey closely. 8/16 This week’s episode of Hard Knocks included a look at the Jets’ joint practice with the Panthers last week and Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s response to how the team’s offensive line fared in that session. As Profootballtalk.com recounted it, Carolina’s defensive front got the better of the Jets during that session and cameras were in the team’s meeting room when Saleh dressed down the offensive line. Saleh said that the Jets “proved last year that we’re a 7-10 football team with a really f---ing good defense and a mediocre offense” and that the addition of Aaron Rodgers and presence of other talented skill position players isn’t going to change that if the team’s linemen don’t do their part. “Offense, it was our first f---ing opportunity to change the stink that’s been in this organization for a very long time on the offensive side of the ball,” Saleh said. “You can have a Hall of Fame quarterback. You can have two $10 million-plus receivers. You can have a reigning offensive rookie of the year. You can have all kinds of skill in the running back room. None of it f---ing matters until the big boys up front change who the f--k we are. We as coaches, we as an organization can’t want it more than you. ...” As previously noted, reports from Tuesday’s practice noted that the offense was sloppy and that protection issues contributed to their problems. The team had a joint practice with the Bucs on Wednesday and they were missing guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker as well as tackle Duane Brown during the session, so there were more difficulties up front. After the session, though, Rodgers said he “thought we played a lot better up front today” and called the unit a “work in progress” that needs to keep the same players on the field for longer stretches of time for everything to come together. “I was thinking maybe we’d start to figure some stuff out,” Rodgers said, via SNY. “Obviously it hasn’t happened yet. There’s jobs up for grabs. That’s the beauty of camp, but also the struggle. In talking with a couple of guys, we just need some continuity at some point. ...” Rodgers deemed his level of concern about the line as low, but that will likely change if the continuity hasn’t developed by the start of the regular season. 8/16 After reaching agreement with the Jets on Monday night, Dalvin Cook is now en route to New Jersey and will be showing up to work today for the first time with his new team and to officially sign his contract, per his agent Zac Hiller. 8/16 It’s been an eventful couple of days in the Jets backfield. Monday brought word that the team agreed to terms with free agent running back Dalvin Cook and that signing became official on Tuesday. Tuesday is also when 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall was activated from the PUP list and cleared to practice for the first time since tearing his ACL last season. As Profootballtalk.com notes, Hall impressed as a rookie before his injury, but Cook’s arrival means he’s returning to a different situation from the one he was in last year. He was asked at a Tuesday press conference if he’s concerned about a diminished role in this year’s offense. “Nah. Like I said, it’s another great guy we’re adding to the room,” Hall said, via SNY. “It’s going to be a good competition. It’s going to bring the best out of everybody. When he comes in, all of our reps might get lessened and we’re gonna have to work him in so it’s gonna make us do the most of what we can with our reps. It’s going to be fun. He’s gonna challenge us, we’re gonna challenge ourselves and we’re gonna challenge him as well, so it’s going to be fun. ...” Hall said he’s confident he will be ready to go in Week 1, but Cook’s addition means the Jets should be well stocked in the backfield against the Bills in any circumstances. 8/15 As Profootballtalk.com reminded readers, when Aaron Rodgers emerged from his darkness retreat this offseason, he targeted the Jets as the team he wanted to play for this season and he made the move to the AFC East club when the Packers worked out a trade with his new club shortly before the draft. During an appearance on WFAN on Tuesday morning, Rodgers was asked if his first few months with the Jets have lived up to what he had in mind. Rodgers said that it “has been better than I was even daydreaming about sitting in that hole in the ground thinking about what my life could be” because of the chance to make new connections with new teammates while developing a “special feeling” about what the team is capable of doing this season. “It’s really been better that I could have expected,” Rodgers said. “It feels like sometimes that I woke up inside of a dream and that this is my life playing out. I pinch myself at various times throughout the week every single week that I’ve been here.” The Jets made another big move this week by agreeing to sign running back Dalvin Cook. Rodgers said he’s “excited” about that move and his comments make it clear that’s just one of many things that have him fired up about what’s coming. ... Remember, Tuesday was a rough practice for Rodgers, who appeared to tweak his left calf. Per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, Rodgers completed only eight of 20 passes for the first-team offense. Cimini writes that pass protection “was spotty,” that there were a “couple of drops,” that Rodgers “misfired at times,” and "[a]ppeared frustrated.” At one point, Rodgers threw seven straight incompletions. The good news is that Rodgers and Garrett Wilson connected for a red-zone touchdown. 8/15 Aaron Rodgers had a rough day of practice on Tuesday, and a familiar injury may have contributed to the star quarterback’s struggles, Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports reports. Rodgers went just 8-for-20 with an interception with the first team during practice. ESPN.com's Rich Cimini said the four-time MVP had seven straight incompletions at one point. None of that was as concerning as Rodgers clutching his left calf and limping around. He remained on the field, however, and continued practicing. Rodgers missed some time during organized team activities with a calf injury that he described as minor. That injury was to his right calf, so whatever happened on Tuesday appears to be unrelated. Still, Jets fans cannot feel great about the fact that their new 39-year-old quarterback has seemingly suffered multiple soft tissue injuries during practice, when players are not even allowed to hit him. One of Rodgers’ greatest strengths is his mobility, so any type of lower body injury is not ideal for him. 8/15 According to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, Breece Hall is coming off the PUP list today. He’ll be limited at practice. The team signed Dalvin Cook on Monday, but the former Viking back won't begin practicing until next week. 8/14 Following up on the previous item. ... Dalvin Cook and the New York Jets have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, furthering New York's grand aspirations for 2023 in the process. ... Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl running back who was released by the Minnesota Vikings in June, began a visit with the Jets on July 28 after saying that the odds were "pretty high" he would sign with the Jets. ... Though Cook, 27, was a free agent for more than two months, he's still providing the Jets with one of the top backs in the game. He'll head to New York with a string of four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. New York hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Ivory in 2015. The Jets thought they had a surefire 1,000-yard runner a season ago with the brilliance and emergence of rookie Breece Hall, but the dynamic back's season was stopped by an ACL tear. Suddenly, a question mark in the Jets backfield could presumably be answered with one of the best tandems in the league if Cook and Hall can team up at full speed and health. For fantasy managers invested in Hall, Cook would clearly put a cap on his ceiling if the second-year man is fully healthy. At the least, Cook's addition should allow Hall to step carefully on his road to recovery. Beyond Cook and Hall, the Jets also house third-year back Michael Carter and second-season rusher Bam Knight?, who have showed promise aplenty in the past, as well. Meanwhile, as NFL.com's Grant Gordon notes, Cook will need to acclimate himself to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's offense and knock off any rust, of course. Gordon went on to point out another concern: Cook's career has been dotted with injury problems, as he played in just 15 games over his initial two seasons. However, it's notable that he played in all 18 of Minnesota's games in 2023 (including playoffs), marking the first time he played a full season. Though Cook's yards per attempt (4.4) were a career low, he still proved to be every part a multi-tool back, able to hit a home run, grind out the hard yards and lend helping hands out of the backfield. ... One last note: Cook still is at least a week away from being able to practice after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. Cook’s arrival also will be delayed due to fact that he will become a first-time father any day now. So it will be a bit before he’s on the field. 8/14 Four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook is signing with the Jets on a one-year deal, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelisser and Ian Rapoport. According to the report, Cook always wanted to land in New York. Now he teams up with former NFC North rival Aaron Rodgers, with all eyes on a Super Bowl. For what it's worth, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it's a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million. ... We'll follow up with details as more information comes to light. 8/09 In case you missed it, Garrett Wilson was named Offensive Rookie of the Year after he had 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. But, as ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell pointed out, Garrett couldn't crack a Pro Bowl roster featuring Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams and Ja'Marr Chase. Barnwell acknowledged it's hard to poke any holes in the first three players. While Barnwell would have considered bumping Chase because of the time he missed with a hip injury, Wilson might have been stuck behind Jaylen Waddle, Amari Cooper and Christian Kirk, each of whom missed out on their own nods. Wilson's case was his quarterbacks: He came in around 2.0 yards per route run in an offense with Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler at quarterback. Now, he'll have Aaron Rodgers. Even a diminished Rodgers would be a drastic upgrade on the players Wilson dealt with a year ago, which could propel him into the stratosphere. The upside case for him is obvious. Will it work out that way? Maybe. Young receivers have typically struggled to find steady footing with Rodgers. Barnwell reminded readers, Wilson's one issue last season was a habit of dropping passes, which typically admits a young player into the legendary quarterback's doghouse. Like the Jets and their expectations after acquiring Rodgers, Wilson has both a high ceiling and a lower-than-expected floor. 8/09 Garrett Wilson, who has been dealing with a low ankle sprain suffered early in camp, was slated to practice on a limited basis today. He was not, however, taking part in 7-on-7 drills. That said, RosterWatch's Cody Carpentier reports Allen Lazard caught three touchdowns on the first six throws by Aaron Rodgers during that 7-on-7 session. 8/09 According to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, Tuesday was a bad day for QB Aaron Rodgers, who was intercepted twice. Rolling right, he threw downfield into traffic and was picked off by backup CB Jimmy Moreland. Later, in the red-zone period, Rodgers got unlucky. A pass was batted at the line by DE John Franklin-Myers and the deflected ball went to rookie LB Zaire Barnes. Cimini went on to note that Rodgers has been sharp throughout camp, usually delivering two or three "wow" moments per practice, but this wasn't his best day. Even icons have off days, though he did end on a high note -- a seeing-eye touchdown pass to Randall Cobb. Rodgers' next opportunity will be today in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where the Jets will have two days of joint practices with the Carolina Panthers. 8/08 Head coach Robert Saleh says he had a great visit with free agent running back Dalvin Cook, but can’t say whether Cook will be playing for the Jets this season. Asked on SiriusXM NFL Radio about Cook’s status, Saleh answered (via Profootballtalk.com), “I’ve got nothing for you.” But Saleh did indicate that Cook is the kind of player he’d like to have on his team. “I do know he’s a great young man and it was an unbelievable visit,” Saleh said. “He’s got a lot of decisions to make for him and his family. So we’ve had the visit, everyone knows where everything stands and it’s just a matter of him making the best decision. ...” As PFT notes, the question is whether the Jets or any other team is willing to pay Cook anything remotely close to what he thinks he’s worth. There’s a clear disconnect in the NFL right now between what veteran running backs think they contribute and what NFL teams are willing to pay. The Jets haven’t shown Cook the kind of money that would get him to sign on the dotted line. 8/08 The Jets have kicked the tires on free-agent running back Dalvin Cook who was hosted on a visit. Thus far, a deal has not been reached. But according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the team has also shown interest in former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott has shown signs of decline recently. He had a career-worst 3.9 yards per touch in 2022. 8/08 According to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, Aaron Rodgers continued to impress with his quick game, frustrating the defense with his ability to exploit blitzes and coverage with his sight adjustments and fast release. Sunday (8/6) was one of his best practices. He completed his first eight passes and finished 14-of-21 unofficially (including a drop and an intentional spike). Rodgers is a "master" when it comes to the short passing game, according to coach Robert Saleh. He said Rodgers can lull a defense to sleep with short throws, then hit them with a deep ball over the top. Rodgers' lone blemish occurred on the final play of practice, when, in an end-of-game situation, he was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Sauce Gardner. No matter. The 3,000 fans in attendance were chanting Rodgers' name at the end of practice. 8/08 There was a lot of concern about Aaron Rodgers’ foot for a minute or two at Jets training camp on Saturday (8/5), but Profootballtalk.com reports it went away as quickly as it came. Rodgers came out of drills after his foot was stepped on while being pursued by edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Zach Wilson took over for a few snaps before Rodgers returned to action. After the session was over, head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers’ toe was fine and used the incident as a chance to offer a reminder about the quarterback being off limits at practice. “We do it all the time,” Saleh said, via the team’s website. “Stay off the quarterback. Respect the quarterback. Every player knows how important those quarterbacks are, but stay up, stay off them. It goes without saying, but you’re always going to try to make it a point of emphasis.” Saleh also offered updates on a couple of other injured Jets. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson is expected to take part in Tuesday’s (8/8) practice after missing time with an ankle injury, but tackle Duane Brown is still a couple of weeks away. Brown is on the PUP list after having shoulder injury. 8/08 The Jets have waived QB Chris Streveler, the star of the 2022 preseason, according to Brian Costello of the New York Jets Post. 08/08 As NFL.com's Nick Shook noted, Zach Wilson's appearance against the Browns in last Thursday's Hall of Fame game ended up being a cameo. In what could be a crucial season for Wilson's long-term development, the third-year quarterback didn't get a ton of playing time, ending his night after one quarter of action. Before he exited, Wilson launched a beautiful, 57-yard strike to Malik Taylor over the head of cornerback Thomas Graham, but that was essentially it for the former No. 2 overall pick before veteran Tim Boyle replaced him. It would've been nice to see Wilson get another drive or two, primarily because he only threw five passes. His first drive ended because he slipped on a scramble attempt that would have produced a first down, and his final possession lasted just three plays (and picked up a whole five yards) after the Jets recovered a Browns fumble in Cleveland territory. It was clear the Jets only wanted one quarter of action for Wilson in what is essentially an extra preseason game, but it left us wanting more from a quarterback who could benefit from a year spent behind Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps we'll see more of him in the weeks ahead. 8/08 Aaron Rodgers has left the field. Well, Lambeau Field. ... This after Green Bay and New York agreed to a trade sending the four-time NFL MVP to the Jets in April. While Rodgers comes off arguably his worst full season as pro in 2022, the previous two seasons he was a top-5 fantasy QB and earned two of those aforementioned MVPs. In New York, Rodgers joins an offense that includes ascending young stars Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. The QB will also reunite with former Packers wideout Allen Lazard, signed as a free agent in March, as well as former Packers coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and veteran wideout Randall Cobb. Worth noting: With Lazard and former Chief Mecole Hardman coming on board, Elijah Moore was traded to the Cleveland Browns. ... For fantasy managers, Rodgers is being drafted as a high- to mid-level QB2. His price could rise, although it's hard to imagine him being drafted consistently in QB1 territory. Meanwhile, Wilson, currently viewed as a borderline WR1, appears to be at his ceiling with the upgrade at quarterback baked into the projections. It's hard to imagine Wilson, talented though he is, rising much higher. While Lazard will have a prominent role, another newcomer, the former Chief Mecole Hardman, is in the mix, too. Hall investors can safely assume Rodgers will keep opposing defenses from stacking the box while managers looking for value later in their drafts can find it in Lazard. Those interested in late-round fliers on Cory Davis, Tyler Conklin or C.J. Uzomah can do so on the cheap with the hope Rodgers can raise the overall level of play of all involved. ... Hall, coming off a torn ACL, opened camp on the PUP list. The second-year man says he'll be ready Week 1, but the Jets' ongoing interest in free agent Dalvin Cook suggests otherwise. It bears watching.
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 Team Review
Fantasy Grade: B
Unless you have been living in a Tibetan monastery, you know that the Jets have a new quarterback. And with Aaron Rodgers now in New York, there's a feeling in the air that has been in short supply in recent years. Hope. Rodgers had a down 2022 season and he isn't getting any younger, but Owen Crisafulli of Clutch Points sees some potential for value with the 39-year-old. 'Rodgers' ceiling is obviously very high, which makes him a very interesting quarterback option," he said. 'Obviously, quarterbacks aren't as valuable in fantasy football as they are in the actual game, but there are The Eagles were absolutely lethal offensively in 2022, rank-ing third in total offense and scoring offense, fifth in rushing and ninth in passing on the way to a berth in Super Bowl LVII. There are some changes in 2023, but there's little rea-son to believe the Eagles won't be a buy_saw again in 2023. There wasn't a bigger breakout star in fantasy football last year than Jaleri Hurts, who ranked third among all quar-terbacks in both rushing yards and fantasy points. Hurts' big year landed him a massive contract extension, but center Jason Kelce told reporters that he hasn't noticed any changes in the young quarterback going to be skeptics of Rodgers based on what we saw last season. That could cause him to slide pretty far down some draft boards, making him a good value pickup towards the middle rounds of the draft if you are willing to wait to draft a quarterback.' Frankly, Rodgers' arrival likely means more for the receiv-ers in New York than the quarterback himself. He will throw to some familiar faces after the Jets signed Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, but the $64 question is what Rodgers means for second-year pro Garrett Wilson. Adam Pfeifer of FTN thinks it means good things — very good things. "Per the FTN Fantasy Splits Tool." he said, "Wilson aver-aged 6.3 targets, 3.7 receptions, 49.6 receiving yards and just 8.8 PPR points per game in nine contests alongside (Zech) Wilson, However, in genies with anyone else under center, Wilson averaged 11.2 targets, 6.1 recep-tions, 81.1 receiving yards and 17.2 PPR points per game. The Jets threw the ball a lot more in those games, but Wilson clearly demonstrated WR1 potential and was treated as such. Per FTN Data, Wilson's 133 first-read targets trailed only Davante Adams and Justin Jefferson last season, while his 147 total targets were the sixth-most in football." Wilson isn't the only second-year player who could break out for the Jets in 2023. Running back Breece Hall was electrifying as a rookie before tearing his ACL, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Them have been reports that Hall is targeting a Week 1 return, but as Rich Cimini wrote for ESPN, all ACL recoveries are not created equal. "Saquon Barkley had an ACL reconstruction and menis-cus repair in September 2020, and he didn't return to peak form until last season," Cimini said. "On the flip side, there was Adrian Peterson, who ran for 2,097 yards in 2012 — a season that began eight months after he under-went reconstructive surgery." Asking Hall to follow Peterson's path may not be particu-laity realistic. But you can bet that as we move into train-ing camp and the preseason that fantasy managers will be keeping a close eye on Hall's progress. | ||||||||||
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2023 Off-Season News & Views
Click here for Complete set of News & Views
Click here for earlier off-season items |
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