The New York Jets’ offseason has been a little quieter than last year, not that head coach Robert Saleh is complaining.
“I think (general manager) Joe (Douglas) has done a really good job adding some really interesting pieces to the football team, but yeah, chill,” Saleh told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche at the league meetings. Sunday in Orlando. ‘Last year was a bit noisy. We appreciate a little peace of mind.’
For those who missed the Jets’ offseason moves in 2023, perhaps because they were in dark retirement or doing ayahuasca in Peru, Douglas pulled off a trade for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, igniting Super expectations. Bowl in New York and Northern New York. Sweater. Exacerbating matters was the team’s decision to participate in HBO’s Hard Knocks, a training camp docuseries that only fueled expectations.
“You’ve got 15 million fans who are so excited they can barely contain themselves,” Jets owner Woody Johnson told players in August, as captured by HBO cameras.
Those expectations were extinguished one series into the season when Rodgers suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, causing former No. 2 draft pick Zach Wilson to be forced back into the lineup with disastrous results.
Robert Saleh of the New York Jets watches during the second half of a game in Miami
The highlight of the Jets’ season came in the first game when Rodgers led the team onto the field.
Rodgers’ season came to an end in the first quarter against the Bills when he injured his ankle
New York would finish 7-10 amid widespread criticism of Douglas, Johnson, Wilson, Saleh and the team.
This year the Jets’ additions are less flashy, but possibly just as important.
After the offensive line failed to protect Rodgers last year (or Wilson, for that matter), Douglas added All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smit, as well as veteran left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses.
Another reason for optimism: the team’s youngest players were able to add experience due to a series of injuries in 2023.
Leonard Floyd sacks Aaron Rodgers on his first offensive series with the team in September
“All the young guys who were forced to play a year ago were very excited about the direction they were going,” Saleh said. “But at the same time, bringing in a veteran presence, bringing in some leadership, bringing in guys that know how to play, that have played at a very high level and that really have the ability to achieve and match the standard that we’re trying to create.
“You look at a guy like Morgan Moses, who played with a torn pectoral last year,” Saleh continued. “Just an old-school soul in the sense that he just shows up to work, works hard and is a guy who’s going to bring people along with him.”
“Tyron Smith has played at a very high level for a long time, and John Simpson as a guard, I mean, he’s like the definition of tight. The way he works and the kind of story. He’s continued to fight to prove that he belongs in this league. Excited about the mental makeup of the room. Obviously we have some really good football players, but we’ve also contributed a lot to the mental makeup of that room.”
The Jets have agreed to terms on a contract with former Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith.
Saleh’s preference for a quiet offseason is not surprising, given a report from The Athletic in January that accused him of being obsessed with negative press.
As defensive coordinator in San Francisco before being hired by the Jets in 2021, Saleh’s concerns about the offense were primarily limited to Wilson, who reportedly became upset about being reinserted into the starting lineup at the end of the season.
Fearful of getting hurt behind an injury-depleted offensive line (spoiler: he suffered a concussion), Wilson’s desire to stay off the field after being benched in December was eventually leaked to the press, leading Saleh to look for the source.
“If you show up now, you won’t get in trouble,” Saleh allegedly told the team while threatening to take away their phones.
Tyron Smith (77) is seen blocking Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dre’Mont Jones in 2023.
The source was never revealed, but Saleh’s apparent media paranoia only got worse.
Afraid of ending up like Vic Fangio, a highly respected defensive coordinator who landed the Broncos’ head coaching job only to be beaten by a mediocre offense, Saleh reportedly became obsessed with the team’s coverage.
Often, The Athletic reported, Saleh wondered why the New York Giants would receive better press than his team.
What exacerbated matters was the presence of Johnson, who not only read local tabloids but also fans’ comments on social media, before relaying his own concerns to Saleh, according to the report.