https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jets-2025-offseason-report-card-150921660.html
With free agency well underway, we’re going to provide some analysis and assign grades to the moves made so far by the Jets — we’ll be updating this post with analysis on any new moves throughout the offseason.
The Jets have a lot of holes to fill with veterans Aaron Rodgers, CJ Mosley and Davante Adams all having been released and other key pieces such as Morgan Moses, Ashtyn Davis and D.J. Reed leaving in free agency. And they’ve already started addressing some of these needs.
Here’s what we think of what they’ve done so far…
QB Justin Fields: Agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $40 million
This is the move that will define the early part of new GM Darren Mougey’s tenure, but given what was available, Fields was probably the best option for the team in terms of where they currently stand.
The 26-year old former first-round pick has struggled for most of his four years in the NFL, but New York will be hoping that leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start last season is the first sign that he’s beginning to realize his true potential.
Fields will reunite with his college teammate Garrett Wilson and bring some excitement to the Jets’ offense with his running ability.
Importantly, if things don’t work out for Fields in New York, it’s not the kind of financial commitment that will set the Jets back several years. They would still be able to explore alternatives in the draft and on the open market over the next few offseasons.
We broke down the pros and cons of this move in more detail earlier this week.
Initial Grade: B-
CB Brandon Stephens: Agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $36 million
With Reed departing, the Jets needed another starting cornerback, and the former third-round pick has plenty of experience starting on a top-level defense in Baltimore. Head coach Aaron Glenn, himself a former Pro Bowl corner, will no doubt feel confident that he can continue to develop Stephens and that he’ll fit the defensive system.
Stephens’ 2024 season was disappointing after he played well in 2023, but the 27-year-old is obviously someone the Jets are banking on to become more reliable as he reaches his prime. They’ll need him to bounce back this season because he may be targeted more with Sauce Gardner on the other side.
Initial Grade: C
S Andre Cisco: Agreed to terms on a one-year contract for $10 million
The Jets also needed to fill holes at the safety position with Chuck Clark, Jalen Mills and Ashtyn Davis all free agents. Cisco gives the Jets a 24-year old former third-round pick with plenty of starting experience and some much-needed playmaking ability as he intercepted four passes in 2023 and three in 2022.
Like Stephens, Cisco had a down year in 2024 and was even benched at one point, but the Jets will be hoping that he’ll similarly bounce back now that he’s getting a fresh start. Since he’s on a one-year contract, he’ll also be motivated to prove himself worthy of a longer-term deal.
Initial Grade: C
T Chukwuma Okorafor: Signed to a one-year deal
With Moses’ departure, the Jets have a big hole at right tackle and on the face of it, signing a 27-year-old former third-round pick with 60 career starts could be seen as an attempt to address that.
Okorafor even started the opener with the Patriots last season. However, he was only starting due to injury and lasted just 12 snaps before being benched — he would later leave the team and wouldn’t play again as he was said to be contemplating retirement.
This signing, which is reportedly just a minimum level deal, should be viewed as nothing more than a long-shot reclamation project. The Jets may have to think outside the box or wait until the draft to address the right tackle position.
Grade: D
EDGE Rashad Weaver: Agreed to a one-year deal
Weaver appeared to be an ascending player a few seasons ago when he racked up 5.5 sacks, but he’s regressed over the past few seasons and barely played at all last year. He could bring some value on special teams, though.
The 27-year-old former fourth-round pick should be viewed similarly to Okorafor, as a low-cost reclamation project, although he arguably has a better chance of making rotational contributions next season.
Grade: C-
C Josh Myers Agreed to a one-year deal for $3.5 million
Myers started every game over the past three seasons for the Packers, so the Jets are bringing him in as a reasonably priced backup with plenty of experience. He’s also a former teammate of Fields.
While he’s not as good as Joe Tippmann, the 26-year-old former second-round pick should give them an adequate option to turn to in the event of an injury. Myers has only ever played center at the college and NFL levels, so he doesn’t have any positional flexibility. But in the event of an injury crisis, the Jets could potentially move Tippmann over to guard to accommodate him.
Grade: B-
Other Notes
The Jets also re-signed linebacker Jamien Sherwood and defensive back Isaiah Oliver during the legal tampering window. Sherwood was the team’s MVP and they made a big commitment to him with a three-year deal worth up to $45 million. Oliver was a lower cost addition but brings important depth and versatility, especially with Brandin Echols leaving to sign with the Steelers.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jets-2025-offseason-report-card-150921660.html
