The New York Jets are entering one of their most important off-seasons in recent memory. After a 7-10 season, the Jets need to make a playoff push or the entire regime could be gone in 2023.
General manager Joe Douglas now has picked and missed on two first-round quarterbacks in Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson in just five years. Going into the 2023 offseason, the Jets must get the quarterback position right to have any chance in the AFC East.
NewYorkBets.com – your home for NY sportsbook promos - is taking a look at the three NFL teams in the Empire State as they head into the important free agency period. We also will look at free agent decisions that went well and poorly for the Jets and finally an take an early peek at what oddsmakers expect from the team in 2023.
Our look at the New York Giants published earlier this week. The Buffalo Bills report will come later this week.
NFL free agency starts March 15 at 4 p.m. The legal negotiating window opens March 13 at noon.
Quarterback Clearly a Priority
The expectation from fans of the Jets and New York sports betting is that they will have significant interest in Aaron Rodgers if he becomes available. The Jets also spoke with Derek Carr, but he signed the other day with the New Orleans Saints.
New York could look to the draft for a franchise passer, but it seems far more likely they will add a veteran at some point this off-season.
However, quarterback isn’t the only need area for the Jets this offseason. They are currently over the cap and have several important players scheduled to hit free agency. Starting offensive linemen Connor McGovern and George Fant both should garner attention in the open market, but the Jets would love to have both back.
Quincy Williams was an important part of the Jets’ linebacker room last year and is coming off the best year of his career. And don’t forget about Sheldon Rankins, who fits very well with Quinnen Williams inside at defensive tackle.
While the Jets don’t have a lot of cap space available now, they should be able to gain a bunch with a few moves. Releasing Carl Lawson saves more than $15 million in cap space and they can save another $10.5 million by cutting Corey Davis. Both moves seem obvious and would allow the Jets to target outside free agents this off-season.
One spot the Jets need to improve is at defensive end. Bryce Huff was a pleasant surprise as a rotational pass rusher, but they need more athleticism off the edge. The Jets could sign a veteran rusher, such as Justin Houston or Melvin Ingram, on a one-year deal. But the player who could help the most is Yannick Ngakoue, who will be on a new team yet again in 2023. He's a very poor run defender but one of the best speed rushers in the league. On a defense that could use some more juice off the edge, Ngakoue would be a perfect fit.
Safety is another position that the Jets need to improve as Lamarcus Joyner just isn't cutting it as a long-term starter. They need more size and athleticism at the position, so Donovan Wilson makes sense. Wilson led the Cowboys in tackles last season (101) and was able to rack up nine QB hits and seven tackles for a loss. He’s one of the best box safeties in the NFL and would bring more toughness to the defense.
Expect the Jets to be busy this offseason searching for their next franchise quarterback, but don’t be surprised if they bring in a few other stars on defense to take that unit to the next level. With a strong offseason, the Jets could be a real problem in the AFC as soon as 2023.
Jets and Free Agency
NewYorkBets.com looks at some previous maneuvers in free agency by the New York Jets.
Free Agent Hits
Free Agent Misses
What Oddsmakers Forecast for Jets
The Jets got off to a good start last season but stumbled out of playoff contention. How are New York sports betting apps setting the bar for the Jets for the 2023 season?
BetMGM NY, one of the state’s top sportsbooks, actually sees the Jets as the second-best bet in the AFC East at +300, behind the Buffalo Bills (+100) and ahead of the Miami Dolphins (+400) and the New England Patriots (+600).
You will find a BetMGM NY promo code here at New YorkBets.com.
