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Edition #624

Good morning ☕

We've had a small break while I took some time with the family in Asia, but we're back today to gear up for the new season. Thank you for your patience over the last two weeks, outside of the draft it's been quiet in the NFL (outside of a 3 hour roast of Tom Brady that popped up on my Netflix feed this morning) so I took that time to step away for a short period to enjoy the delights of Indonesia and Singapore.

As someone who loves travelling, it was an amazing experience…but travelling with two young kids is absolutely exhausting, despite them both being extremely well-behaved throughout, including the very long flights.

If you’re a Knicks or Rangers fan, you’re probably pretty happy this morning with both teams having taken a 1-0 lead in their 2nd-round playoff series. Maybe just maybe NY sports is ready for a period of dominance, and the Jets need to join that party.

🟢 Following the conclusion of rookie minicamp, the Jets made a few minor moves to their roster. They waived QB PeeWee Jarrett, LB Tre Jenkins and DL Manny Jones, and replaced them with QB Andrew Peasley, QB Colby Suits and DB Brandon Codrington. Churning the bottom of the roster to try and unearth a gem is a good idea at this point in the year, but the only guy there that I’d have any hope for is Codrington who’s a return specialist, he had an 81-yard punt return for a TD last year against Winston-Salem.

⚪ The Jets also announced that they have re-signed Sam Eguavoen who appeared in 15 games last off-season playing 69% of all special teams snaps, which was the 3rd highest number on the team. That’s a solid move for special teams who will be working without captain Justin Hardee who left during free agency.

🟢 We also have rookie numbers, although they always say these are subject to change before the season, so I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy a jersey just yet.

⚪ The Jets announced that they expect rookie QB Jordan Travis to be ready by training camp with Robert Saleh saying: “We’re trying to figure out what he can and can’t do and whenever he’s cleared medically, we’ll work with him. But the anticipation is that he’ll be ready by training camp”. Travis had to work to the side this weekend as he continues his recovery from a broken leg. Travis was kept to the side despite him trying to sneak into the stretch line. Travis can still do a lot of work in the film room and with Rodgers in the building, every minute is valuable.

🟢 You’ve probably all seen this story now but I have to repeat it just in case you haven’t. The Jets had a Staten Island native in camp this weekend by the name of Patrick McSweeney. His father Timothy was a Jets season ticket holder and proud fireman with the FDNY. Unfortunately, Timothy lost his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York which left 9-month-old Patrick without a father. Patrick grew up a Jets fan and now he’s living out a dream with the Jets. Timothy joined the FDNY in 1987 and won six awards for heroism, it’s really an incredible story.

⚪ It’s been confirmed that Aaron Rodgers will have no limitations when OTA’s open for the Jets on May 20th. Jets rookie receiver Malachi Corley is already working to build chemistry with Rodgers: “I have been texting him the last couple of nights. He’s is the MVP and the adult and all those things so I have been texting him string to learn what he has done to stay consistent in the league. I have had conversations with him and he said I can stay in his guest house. I am absolutely going to take him up on that offer. I won’t be living rent-free, I will throw him a little bit, but I am a young guy.”

🟢 Jets first-round pick Olu Fashanu is still working his way back from a thigh injury he suffered at the combine. Fashanu did miss five games back in 2022 but he played in all 12 games in 2023, and it’s expected Fashanu will be fine for OTA’s. “The coaching staff and the training staff, they’re just starting to ease me in” Fashanu said. “I had a minor little injury and I’ve just been rehabbing that. So, for them, Its all about easing me in, just getting me out on the field, seeing how I move and all that”.

Last year we celebrated the performance of Quincy Williams, a dynamic and impact linebacker who enjoyed a career year following his contract extension. His signing has been one of the marquee moments of the Joe Douglas era, plucking someone off waivers and turning them into an All-Pro, which is where I think Quincy’s talent will land him.

Quincy’s improvement has given the Jets one of the better linebacking duos in the league alongside C.J. Mosley, who continues to perform at a high level both on and off the field. Earlier this off-season Mosley made the financial sacrifice that opened up the opportunity for the Jets to improve the roster.

“We had a face-to-face, a heart-to-heart,” Mosley said of his meeting with Joe Douglas. “He wanted me here and I wanted to be here, and we made it happen. Definitely appreciative of it. There were no dramatics. We didn’t have to waste any time, so we just got it done and got to work. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not always about the money and the pay cut and all that stuff, but sacrifice comes in many different ways when you talk about sacrificing for your team and your teammates. It’s just one small gesture, but it goes a long way. When I say I don’t care about the money when I get on the football field, I just want to win and win with my teammates”

Mosley signed a big 5 and lucrative contract 5 years ago, and after being restricted to 2 games in his first year thanks to a groin injury sustained in the opening game followed by the decision to sit out the 2020 COVID season, the start was a little rocky. But Mosley has now put up three consecutive seasons of 150+ tackles and while he may not be the most fluid backer in coverage, I would argue that he’s one of the best leaders in football, regardless of position. Mosley has become not only the focal piece in this defence but at age 32 he offers plenty of experience to a squad packed with young stars. Not only in terms of performance but also in how to handle himself away from the football field.

There’s also something to be said for someone who shows a commitment to remaining. Does that rub off? I don’t know, but Sauce Gardner has already come out and said he wants to retire as a Jet, and while we’ll need to wait to see if that runs into contract negotiations, I find it hard to believe that Mosley hasn’t had a positive impact on all these players.

“The main mindset was I want to be here,” Mosley said. “I want to be a New York Jet and I want to be part of this - this defence that we helped build together. We came a long way from 2019 and when I came here. I wanted to help build a winning program and obviously bring a Super Bowl, a Championship, a Division Championship to our team. Until I feel like I can’t do anymore at the highest level I can, then that’s the only reason I feel like I shouldn’t be here and he a New York Jet”

You also get the sense that Mosley is a very self-aware man, and if he felt his performances were hurting the team, he’d be the first to pull himself out of the game.

His new deal with the Jets was for two years and $17.25 million, which helped open up at least $8 million in immediate cap space. That’s the kind of deal that helps a team sign someone on a one-year deal, someone like Tyron Smith or Mike Williams. Without that financial sacrifice of Mosley, who was set to count $21.5 million against the cap this year, you don’t sign both.

For some players it’s all about the money, getting as much as you can as quickly as you can knowing that your career span is short. I have no issue with those guys, why wouldn’t you want to maximise your earning potential and set your family up for generations? Mosley has earned a lot of money and with his career entering the twilight stage, it makes sense that he wants to prioritise winning…not that he hasn’t always done that.

Mosley continues to prove why he’s such a good player, leader and captain. The Jets are lucky to have him.