LARKIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE WIN INAUGURAL JETS NFL GIRLS FLAG LEAGUE IN IRELAND

The New York Jets are thrilled to announce that Larkin Community College have been crowned as the first-ever champions of its Jets NFL Girls Flag league in Ireland. The team claimed the trophy with a 26-6 victory over St Mary’s Holy Faith Glasnevin in an exciting Championship Day held at the Sport Ireland Campus.

Launched on March 4th, the league is the first of its kind to be established in the country and aims to increase access to and participation in sports by girls across Dublin. Together, participants plan and execute winning plays, building life-long psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience, and playing the sport can contribute to improved mental wellbeing.

Yesterday’s Championship Day marked the conclusion of the league’s first season, during which 80 girls (aged 12-15) from eight schools across Dublin competed in five weeks of fixtures. Championship Day featured the final two rounds of action-packed league action, with teams divided into two pools. Seeds 5-8 competed in the Plate Bracket, while seeds 1-4 battled it out in the Championship Bracket.

Alongside the first-place trophy for Larkin Community College, there were also individual accolades to recognise outstanding performances throughout the league’s duration. Vanessa (Safety) from Ardscoil La Salle was awarded Defensive MVP, while Holly (Quarterback/Wide Receiver) from St. Louis High School was awarded Offensive MVP.

Away from the field, the celebratory event also featured a host of additional activities to make the day extra special for the girls, such as personalised hair braiding, a BBQ food truck, combine drills, and the creation of a Jets Player Passport.

“On behalf of the entire Jets family, we would like to extend a huge thank you and congratulations to all the girls who have competed in our first-ever Jets NFL Girls Flag league in Ireland,” said Jesse Linder, Jets Vice President of Community Relations. “To see how far their Flag Football skills have come over the past five weeks is simply incredible, and we hope this is just the start of their journey in the sport. Finally, a special congratulations to Larkin Community College on their well-deserved victory.”

The Jets NFL Girls Flag league is the latest activation by the team in the country since April 2024, when the franchise was awarded the right to expand its brand and activities in the country as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program’ (GMP). Following a hugely successful first year, the Jets are already planning their growth ambitions for the league in 2026 and beyond.

The 26-team London league is underway, pausing now for a several week break over the Easter school holidays. Check out our dedicated Girls Flag page for photos, video and standings from this year’s leagues!

NEW YORK JETS TO LAUNCH FIRST-EVER NFL GIRLS FLAG LEAGUE IN IRELAND

  • The Jets welcomed 80 girls aged 12-15 from schools across Dublin to the Sport Ireland Campus for the launch of the league – the first of its kind in Ireland.
  • Participants were joined at the all-day event by Jets players Quincy Williams and Isaiah Davis, members of the Irish Wolfhounds Flag Football Team and Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain.
  • Fast-paced and accessible for all, flag football is one of the fastest growing sports globally with women and girls driving some of the largest growth in participation.

DUBLIN — Mar. 4, 2025 — The New York Jets are delighted to announce the launch of their new Jets NFL Girls Flag league in Dublin, Ireland ahead of International Women’s Day.

Eighty girls (aged 12-15) from eight schools across Dublin joined the team for the league’s all-day launch event at the Sport Ireland Campus. The league is the first of its kind to be established in the country and aims to increase access to and participation in sports by girls across the city.

The launch kicked off by welcoming the girls into the Jets growing international family with a panel discussion hosted by Her Sport Founder, Niamh Tallon. Featuring the colours and sounds of a game day at MetLife Stadium, the panel introduced the girls to the unique Jets fan culture before discussing the global popularity of flag football and the positive impact of taking part.

Niamh was joined on stage for the discussion by special quests: Quincy Williams (Jets Linebacker), Eli Hodges (Jets Director of Community Relations and Youth Football), Afia Law (NFL International Flag Football Development), and Megan Howe and Helen Smyth from the Irish Wolfhounds Flag Football Team.

Following the panel, Isaiah Davis (Jets Running Back) joined the girls in fun skill-based activity stations such as Quarterback net, table tennis, and digital photobooth before the girls were presented with their official Nike league kits. In the afternoon, the girls took to the field to participate in a host of NFL Flag related drills and skills before the competitive action got under way with the first round of league fixtures.

Flag football is the non-contact version of American Football and is inclusive and accessible for all. The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games program, led by efforts of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and supported by the NFL.

Starting at the launch event on Tuesday, March 4th, all 80 girls will participate across five weeks of league matches, before going head-to-head in a final Championship Event on Tuesday, April 8th. Together, the girls plan and execute winning plays, building life-long psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience, and playing the sport can contribute to improved mental wellbeing.

“We are delighted to be announcing the launch of our new Jets NFL Girls Flag league here in Dublin and welcoming 80 new girls into our growing family in Ireland,” said Jesse Linder, Jets Vice President of Community Relations. “Creating opportunities to grow girls’ participation in sport is a key priority for the Jets, both at home and in our international markets. NFL Flag provides the perfect platform to support this ambition, teaching skills and providing benefits both on and off the field. Spending time in Dublin this week, we can see and feel the excitement around our sport and hope the league can play a part in engaging a new generation of girls with the Jets and the NFL.”

“It was a pleasure to attend the launch of the Jets NFL Girls Flag league,” said Afia Law, NFL International Flag Football Development. “Female participation in flag football is growing around the world and initiatives such as these run by the Jets are a key component of the sports success. The passion and enthusiasm on display was infectious and I wish the girls the best of luck in the league’s inaugural year.”

“The positive impacts of female participation in sport at a young age are powerful and lasting and this is why, as Lord Mayor, I have prioritised the promotion and participation of women and girls in sport,” said Emma Blain, Lord Mayor of Dublin. “The league launched by the Jets is a fantastic moment to be part of and will provide an inclusive and safe environment for girls to enjoy sport across Dublin.”

The launch of the league represents the latest activation by the Jets in Ireland since April 2024 when the franchise was awarded the right to expand its brand and activities in the country as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program’ (GMP).

In 2024, the team enlisted Love Island star and former Irish rugby union player Greg O’Shea to announce the first-ever New York Jets live NFL Draft pick from Dublin and hosted their first-ever official Ireland watch party at Buskers on the Ball for the team’s Week 14 clash against the Miami Dolphins in December.

Irish fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news about the New York Jets and hear about their upcoming activities by visiting www.nyjetsinternational.com. Follow them on social platforms, @NYJetsinUKandIE on X and @newyorkjetsinuk on Instagram for more information.

OLIVIA PEEBLES NAMED JETS 2024 INTERNATIONAL FAN OF THE YEAR!

The New York Jets are delighted to announce that Olivia Peebles has been named the New York Jets nominee for the 2024 International NFL Fan of the Year award!

Olivia’s passion for the team and advocacy for women’s representation in the sport made her a standout candidate, and she will be attending the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin as a representative of the Jets.

At the bottom of the page, you can check out the moment that Olivia was given the news by Jets punter Thomas Morstead. She is the Jets second International Fan of the Year, following in the footsteps of Frazer Campbell in 2023.

It was an extremely strong year of applicants to the International Fan of the Year programme, and the Jets thank all fans who took the time to send off their nomination.

The International Fan of the Year title celebrates extraordinary fans globally who inspire others with their passion for the game and have been a rallying force across their family, friends and local community through fandom.

In its second year, the program has expanded beyond the U.S. to nine eligible international markets this season — with the additions of Brazil, Spain and Ireland — to honor fans from around the world who use American football as a platform for inspiration and change, showcasing their love of the game.

32 nominees, have been chosen from eight nations (up from six in the program’s inaugural year) including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and the U.K.

The Ultimate NFL International Fan of the Year will be named onsite at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

To help grow international fandom around the world, clubs can participate in the NFL’s Global Markets Program — an initiative that awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities. Currently 25 clubs participate in the program across 19 international markets, showcasing the continued appetite to reach NFL fans across the globe.

To celebrate the program’s inaugural season which garnered over 11,200 nominations, 2023 International Fans representing each of the 32 teams attended the 2024 NFL Draft — where Dallas Cowboys’ Fan of the Year Eduardo Flores was proudly crowned the 2023 Ultimate International Fan of the Year.

For more on the NFL’s International Fan of the Year, visit: nfl.com/intlfanoftheyear

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JETS LEGEND CHAD PENNINGTON TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL Q&A!

The New York Jets are excited to announce that former quarterback Chad Pennington will be the featured guest for the very first New York Jets Fan Club Q&A on Wednesday, February 19th, at 7 PM GMT. Exclusive to MVP members, this special event offers fans the chance to join the call and ask questions to the green and white icon.

A first-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Pennington spent eight seasons with the Jets, earning a reputation for his exceptional passing accuracy. At the time of his retirement, he held the NFL record for completion percentage. Over his career, he amassed more than 17,800 passing yards and a total of 109 touchdowns.

Pennington led the Jets to the playoffs three times in his career, including to their last division title in 2002. He is also a two-time winner of the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, in 2006 and 2008.

Eligible MVP fans can find the event within the rewards section of the membership portal. Redeem this event item, and you will receive an email with details on dialling into the live session. Rookie members will not be able to join the Q&A live, but will be able to watch the recording after the session, as it will be made available on the portal at a later date.

THREE POSITIONS THE JETS COULD TARGET IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT

With the new leadership team in place for the Jets, the focus now turns to the roster construction element of the offseason.

I’m sure that Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn are already deep into the evaluation process, pinpointing areas of the team to strengthen across free agency and the draft. 

We’re going to focus today on three positions in the 2025 NFL Draft that are absolutely loaded with talent, not just at the top but throughout. 

Fortunately for the Jets, those positions just so happen to coincide with some of the biggest perceived needs for the team. 

Tight End

There may not be a Brock Bowers-type talent in this year’s draft, although Penn State’s Tyler Warren is challenging that theory based on his 104-reception, 1233-yard, 8-touchdown season in 2024. He’s almost certainly a top 15 talent in the draft and it’s likely he’ll be joined in the first round by Michigan’s Colston Loveland who put up a respectable 56 catches, 582 yards and 5 touchdowns despite inconsistencies at the QB position. 

Warren’s in-line blocking paired with his receiving talent will likely ensure he’s the first TE off the board, but Loveland has all the potential to be a dominant receiving threat in the NFL. 

Those two are the top talents in the draft, but the real depth of this TE class sits between rounds two and five. Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr is smaller than the top two, but he’s coming off a 117-catch season, racking up 1555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Texas man Gunner Helm was the go-to target for Quinn Ewers and finished his college career with 12.9 yards per reception, showing his downfield potential. Miami’s Elijah Arroyo is currently enjoying a great start to Senior Bowl week in Alabama and weighed in heavier than expected, which will only increase his draft stock. 

As you start to move further down the draft you get to guys like Benjamin Yurosek from Georgia who’s body of work in college won’t blow you away, but the potential to develop is astronomical. Mitchell Evans from Notre Dame, Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt, Mason Taylor from LSU and Terrance Ferguson from Oregon are all players who will likely go on day two or early on day three.

It’s not often you get a TE class as deep as the 2025 one and with Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah set to hit free agency and Jeremy Ruckert entering the final year of his rookie contract, TE is a glaring need for the Jets. 

Safety

It’s been a while since the Jets invested heavily in the safety position, but with defensive back Aaron Glenn at the helm that could change in 2025, and fortunately for the Jets the safety class is ripe for picking. 

Look at enough draft rankings and you’ll see that Georgia man Malaki Starks is largely considered to not only be the best safety in the class, but one of the best players full stop. Starks finished his three-year Georgia career with 6 interceptions, 17 passes defensed and 44 defensive stops. With great size and instincts, he’ll be a top-15 player from this class. 

If the first round is a little too rich for your taste, you’ll find plenty of talent through rounds 2-3 starting with my favourite safety prospect in the draft, Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. Watts has that canny ability to seemingly know the play before the ball is snapped, and his instincts and ball pursuit are at an elite level. Watts allowed just 1 touchdown in over 1,100 coverage snaps in college and brought down 13 interceptions in the last two years. 

Further down you get prospects like Sebastian Castro from Iowa, Kevin Winston Jr from Penn State, Lathan Ransom from Ohio State, Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina and Andrew Mukuba from Texas, all of whom will likely be gone before the fourth round starts. Mukuba in particular is coming off an outstanding season where he allowed just 43.5% of passes to be completed into his coverage with 0 touchdowns allowed and 5 interceptions. 

If you want a little sleeper to keep an eye on, Upton Stout from Western Kentucky is on the smaller side but happens to be one of the best tackling safeties in college football. 

Defensive Tackle

The Jets have worked to find a running mate for Quinnen Williams for a while now, and the 2025 draft is possibly their best route to find a long-term solution. It’s arguably the deepest position in the draft. 

Starting at the top you have Mason Graham, a player I looked at last week in my preview of the Jets #7 selection in the draft. He’s a dominant and disruptive force in the middle, capable of taking on and beating double-teams. If paired with Quinnen, it’s going to present a big headache for offensive line coaches around the NFL. 

Graham is supported by a number of outstanding prospects and it wouldn’t shock me to see four defensive tackles taken in the first round. Kenneth Grant who’s a teammate of Graham at Michigan has been one of the best run defenders in college, closely followed by Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams. T.J. Sanders has the pop in his hands and the long arms to swallow up interior runners, and with plus explosion he’s a guy that defensive line coaches will love to work with. 

That’s just the first round. Go further down the draft and you get guys like Walter Nolen who arguably is a first-round talent himself. Omarr Norman-Lott is a big unit who flourished after transferring to Tennessee from Arizona State. Texas man Alfred Collins doesn’t possess the pass-rush potential of some of the names on this list, but he’d come in and instantly upgrade any team’s interior run defense, something the Jets struggled with at times in 2024. Deone Walker is a giant of a man and has already turned some heads at the Senior Bowl in Alabama. 

A testament to this position’s depth, all the guys mentioned so far will probably be gone by the start of the third round. Then you start looking at guys like Derrick Harmon from Oregon, JJ Pegues from Ole Miss, Simeon Barrow Jr. from Miami and you’re still only around the 4th round. In fact, I’ve seen some of those guys around the first and second round, especially Harmon who Daniel Jeremiah had as his 22nd overall prospect. 

It’s a good year to need a tight end, safety and defensive tackle… and you could argue those are three of the biggest priorities for the Jets.

NEW YORK JETS NAME DARREN MOUGEY AS NEW GM

The Jets have agreed to terms with Darren Mougey to be their general manager. Mougey, who just completed his second season as the Denver Broncos’ assistant GM, will be paired with HC Aaron Glenn as the Jets embark on a new era.

“Darren is a trusted NFL executive who has experience working with an impressive collection of football leaders,” Jets Chairman Woody Johnson said. “He is a proven talent evaluator who impressed us with his vision for this team. His partnership with Coach Glenn will revitalize this organization. I am proud of the thorough search we undertook and that it led us to the two best individuals to lead our football team going forward.”

Mougey initially interviewed with the Jets on Jan. 11 before meeting with Jets’ brass on Thursday at 1 Jets Drive. Over 12 seasons in Denver, Mougey, 39, held several titles. Starting as a scouting intern in 2012, Mougey was a personnel and scouting assistant (2013), a college and pro personnel scout (2014), an area scout (2015-19), the assistant director of college scouting (2020) and the director of player personnel (2021).

“It is one of the great honors and privileges of my life to serve as the general manager of the New York Jets,” Mougey said. “I want to thank Mr. Johnson for this responsibility, one I do not take lightly. I could not be more excited to work alongside Coach Glenn to build a championship team that will make Jets fans proud.”

Mougey, a native of Scottsdale, AZ, began his collegiate career at San Diego State as a quarterback in 2005 receiving reps behind current Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell. He shifted to wide receiver prior to his junior season and had 66 catches, 805 yards and 7 TDs his final two campaigns with the Aztecs. He participated in training camps with the Falcons (2009) and the Cardinals (2010).

“He’s got all the traits you want,” Broncos GM George Paton said of Mougey on Broncos.com in the 2022 offseason. “He’s great with people [and a] great evaluator. I talked about the management and the organization and the detail. So he’s got everything you want.”

Chairman Johnson led the searches for a general manager and head coach. He hired The 33rd Team in a support role to help identify and vet candidates in addition to coordinate interviews. On Wednesday, the Jets announced Glenn as the 22nd head coach in franchise history.

NEW YORK JETS NAME AARON GLENN NEW HEAD COACH

The Jets have agreed to terms with Aaron Glenn to become their head coach. Glenn, the 22nd head coach in franchise history, returns home to a Jets team he played for in his first eight NFL seasons and later worked for as a scout in the personnel department. Glenn, the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, is expected to sign his contract Thursday at 1 Jets Drive.

“I’m excited to welcome Aaron Glenn home as the head coach of the New York Jets,” said Jets Chairman Robert Wood Johnson. “Aaron earned this opportunity through almost three decades of NFL experience – ten with us as a player and a scout. He brings tremendous leadership skills and the vision this organization needs to be successful. I am thrilled to see him lead this team.”

Johnson led the search for a head coach and was aided by The 33rd Team in a support role to help identify and vet candidates in addition to coordinate interviews. Former NFL front office executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman headed the project for the NFL technology and media company.

After announcing 16 completed head coach interviews, Glenn met face-to-face with Jets brass Tuesday morning and a framework for a deal was agreed upon on Wednesday.

Before starting his professional coaching trek, Glenn worked in the Jets’ front office as a pro personnel scout in 2012 and college area scout in 2013.

“This place is special for me,” Glenn said. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.”

Prior to his first stint in coaching as the Cleveland Browns assistant secondary coach in 2014-15, AG played 15 seasons in the NFL. The Jets’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall) out of Texas A&M in 1994, Glenn appeared in 121 games with the Green & White from 1994-2001. His 24 INTs are tied for fourth in franchise history, and he returned three of those picks for TDs. Glenn is the only Jet with two 100-yard plays to his credit — he had a 100-yard INT return against Dan Marino and Miami in 1996 and a 104-yard return of a missed field goal at Indianapolis in 1998. Glenn was a Pro Bowler with the Jets in 1997 and ’98 and he led the team in interceptions in ’96, ’98 and 2001.

Glenn spent the past four seasons in the Motor City serving as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. The Lions went 15-2 this past season, earning the NFC’s top seed as Glenn patched together a lineup that lost five starters, including edge Aidan Hutchinson, DT Alim McNeil and CB Carlton Davis III, plus multiple key backups to injured reserve. The Lions finished No. 1 on third down (32.43%), No. 5 against the run (98.4 yds/g), T5 in INTs (16) and T10 in takeaways (24).

“Aaron Glenn is as good a coach as you’re going to find, he’s an even better human being,” said Lions HC Dan Campbell of Glenn in January. He added: “I mean this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring. Anyway, I don’t want to lose him, but I also root for the guy because I just think he’s a hell of a coach.”

In 2023, the Lions went 12-5 with Glenn at the controls of a unit that was dominant against the run. The defense yielded 3.7 yards per carry, which ranked second, and they paced the NFL in holding opponents under 100 yards rushing in 12 games. In Detroit, Glenn played an integral role on the Campbell-led staff that saw a turnaround from 3-13-1 in 2021 to a group that won 27 games over the past two seasons, captured consecutive NFC North crowns, won two playoff games and advanced to the NFC Championship game following the 2023-24 campaign.

“Here’s how I sum up leadership, it’s really one word – it’s influence,” Glenn said prior to the Lions’ loss to the Commanders in the divisional round last Saturday. “And everyone I come in contact with, I want to influence them in some kind of positive way, and I don’t take that for granted when it comes to players because that’s my responsibility. It’s almost the same as my children. I want to make sure everybody that I come in contact with – that when they leave AG, they have something positive to say and it’s not always going to be like that because I do get pissed off at people, too. But to me, that’s what I want to impart on every player I come across, even the players that end up leaving here. I want to impart something positive into them so as they go about their way that I’ve taught them something that can make them a better person and a better player.”

Glenn, working alongside Campbell in New Orleans, oversaw the Saints’ secondary from 2016-20 on Sean Payton’s staff. Glenn helped mentor an impressive group that included CBs Marshon Lattimore and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and safeties Marcus Williams and Von Bell. The Saints finished No. 3 in INTs in 2017 (20), and T1 in INTs (18) and T3 in takeaways (26) in 2020.

Favoring play style over playbook, Glenn owns more than 25 years of experience in the National Football League including playing, front office and coaching experience. As a player, he learned under perhaps the NFL’s greatest program builder in Bill Parcells. Over 15 NFL seasons with the Jets, Texans (2002-04), Cowboys (2005-06) and Jaguars (2007), Glenn finished with 41 INTs and his 6 INT-return TDs are tied for 21st in league history. He scored 8 career TDs, recorded 661 tackles and 167 pass defenses.

As a coach, he tasted success under Payton in New Orleans before moving to Detroit with Campbell and helping to oversee a dramatic turnaround. He is an intense competitor who will challenge players and is unyielding in his belief in the process.

“I’m a coach – I just happen to be on defense,” he said earlier this month. “I understand offense just as well as a number of people. So, if you’re going to hire me, you’re going to hire a coach. You’re not going to hire a defensive coach. I’m going to talk to the offense just as much as I’m going to talk to the defense.”

A Humble, TX, native, Glenn earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Texas A&M and was a two-time All-American with the Aggies. He and his wife, Devaney, have a son, Aaron II, and two daughters, Tristen and Rheagan.

EARLY LOOK: WHO MIGHT THE JETS TARGET IN 2025 NFL DRAFT?

As the Jets continue to work towards hiring a new GM and HC, we’re starting to look deeper at the list of offseason tasks. 

Last week we took a quick look at some key pieces the Jets may want to work to keep in the building, and today we’re going to be looking at potential additions through the draft. 

One of the marquee events of the offseason, the NFL Draft represents an opportunity to improve your team, and in a hurry. For a team picking inside the top 10, it’s a chance to snag an elite prospect that offers immediate impact. 

Some teams draft for need, whilst others work on a ‘best player available’ approach. When those two approaches overlap, good things happen. 

Today, I wanted to outline four potential prospects the Jets could be eyeing up with their 7th overall selection. It’s important to note that we’re still at the start of this process. Later this month we have the Senior Bowl down in Alabama, then comes the NFL Combine, individual meetings and interviews and a whole lot of deep diving. 

It’s always hard to project players at certain draft spots. One unexpected selection or one major trade can throw the draft into upheaval, but even at this point in the process you tend to have a vague idea of who is likely to go in the top 10. So here are some top prospects to watch for the Jets; note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, just four players who are good options. 

Mason Graham – Defensive Tackle – Michigan

If, like me, you’re addicted to mock drafts, this is a name you’ll be very familiar with. Graham is projected to the Jets more than any other player and for good reason. Rated as PFF’s #1 defensive tackle in college this season, Graham possesses all the skills required to make an effortless leap to the NFL. Graham spent three productive years at Michigan, which included a national title in 2023, and his disruptive nature inside would be the perfect complement to Quinnen Williams, giving the Jets one of the premier pairings of defensive tackles in football.

9 sacks and 18 tackles for loss over the last three years don’t do his impact justice. His 12% run stop rate was the 2nd highest in college football and his sub 5% missed tackle rate is elite. He has the upper body strength and agility to work as both a pass-rusher and run defender and his high motor and effort would be welcomed by whoever is named the Jets new Head Coach. 

Abdul Carter – Defensive End – Penn State

There’s a reason that Micah Parsons is campaigning for Carter in Dallas. The Penn State product is one of the most dominant pass-rushers to come out of college in a while. Some will question his ability to stand up in the run-game, but his ability against the run is far superior than a lot of pass-rushers who have been taken in the first round recently. Carter is coming off a 13 sack, 66 pressure season with Penn State and he’s equally productive coming off the left or right side. 

Although the Jets have two very good pass-rushers in Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, you can never have too many players capable of disrupting the QB. There’s a very good chance that Carter is taken before the Jets come to make their selection, but if he is there it’s going to give the Jets a lot to think about. 

Will Campbell – Offensive Tackle – LSU

If you’re looking for an offensive tackle you’re in luck. The 2025 draft could see as many as seven offensive tackles taken in the first round, and I’m pretty confident stating at least four will go within the first 25 picks. I’m still not entirely sure who the best tackle in the draft is; most have Will Campbell, some have Josh Simmons from Ohio State and some have Kelvin Banks Jr from Texas. For the sake of this piece, I’m going to go with Will Campbell from LSU. 

Campbell has everything you want from a tackle. He’s a dominant pass-protector, who plays with excellent leverage and hand-placement with the anchor to handle bull rushes and the agility to combat speed rushers. In over 1,500 pass-blocking snaps in college he’s allowed only 49 pressures and 4 sacks, that’s a pressure every 33 snaps and a sack every 398 snaps. 

The Jets drafted a tackle last year in Olu Fashanu and taking Campbell would mean moving one of them to RT, but on the plus side it would give the Jets a dominant pair of tackles for the next decade. Building through the trenches is never a bad idea in my opinion. 

Will Johnson – Cornerback – Michigan

The Jets have been very fortunate recently with the outside corner pairing of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, but with Reed heading to free agency there may be a pressing need for a more permanent partner for Sauce. Enter Will Johnson, who is largely considered a top-10 prospect and the #1 out-and-out corner, although cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter will likely be picked ahead of Johnson. 

Johnson possesses the size, length and frame for a starting corner in the NFL and his physicality and versatility make him ideal for any system. At Michigan he’s played a mix of man and zone coverage, and his 9 interceptions in the last three years show that he has a nose for the ball. 

Only three teams in the NFL recorded fewer interceptions than the Jets 7 this year, and considering Johnson has that turnover potential to go with the skillset and the stats (0 touchdowns allowed in the last two years, 53.6% career passing completion allowed) he would be a very interesting prospect for the Jets.

HOW THE NEW YORK JETS COULD APPROACH FREE AGENCY

The New York Jets are busy interviewing for the leadership team of tomorrow and one of the first obstacles to navigate for the new GM will be free agency, which kicks off with the start of the new league year in March. 

The Jets have been big players in free agency recently, but before we get to the players they could bring in from other teams, we need to decide on those currently rostered. 

As things stand, the Jets have 20 different players heading to free agency. 16 of those players are unrestricted free agents and 4 are restricted free agents. 

Unrestricted free agents will have four or more years of NFL service and once free agency hits, they’re open to negotiate with any and every team. If they decide to sign with another team, they’re not obligated to give the Jets a chance to match the offer and the Jets won’t receive any compensation in return. 

Restricted free agents will have three accrued NFL seasons and while they can negotiate with any team and sign with any team, the Jets will be given an opportunity to match the offer. If the Jets decide to match the offer, then the player is obligated to remain with the team. If the player leaves, then the Jets would receive compensation based on the tender they tag the player with.

Those are very simplistic terms, but without going into the specifics of each tender it’s a good starting point to understand the situation we’re in. 

Restricted Free Agents

Chazz Surratt, Irvin Charles, Xavier Newman-Johnson, Tony Adams

With restricted free agents, there is always a good chance that they all return to the team. I think that’s likely going to be the case here. 

Chazz Surratt and Irvin Charles were two of the best special teams performers for the Jets in 2024 with 7 and 5 tackles respectively. Charles was graded by PFF to be the best special teams player on the team and his 88.6 grade put him inside the top-10 for the season across the league (minimum of 150 special team snaps). 

Charles unfortunately sustained a torn ACL against the Miami Dolphins in week 14 and the Jets will be hoping his recovery puts him on track for the 2025 season. 

Xavier Newman-Johnson only played a handful of snaps this year but showcased his versatility in 2023 when he appeared at three different positions along the offensive line and Tony Adams played in over 750 snaps this season and made 84 tackles with 1 interception. 

Adams and Charles need to be protected with tenders, but I think all four will return. 

Unrestricted Free Agents

Haason Reddick, D.J. Reed, Tyler Conklin, Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Ashtyn Davis, Wes Schweitzer, Leki Fotu, Isaiah Oliver, Chuck Clark, Kenny Yeboah, Malik Taylor, Jamien Sherwood, Brandin Echols.

As you can see from the extensive list of players, there’s likely going to be a lot of change in that locker room at One Jets Drive. 

There is an argument that can be made for each player, whether that’s past performance, future potential or just seeing what someone can do who wasn’t able to perform this year due to injury or any number of other reasons. 

To work through all these individual players would take some time, so I’m going to pick out three names that I think the new GM should prioritise. 

Morgan Moses

There’s a reason the Jets players chose Morgan Moses for the “Most Inspirational” gong in the end-of-season awards, very few players command the level of respect that Morgan does.

It was a difficult season in many ways for Moses who played through injuries and was forced to miss multiple contests. The 723 offensive snaps played was his lowest total since his rookie year with Washignton back in 2014. 

But when he was on the field he was a reliable pass-protector and effective run-blocker. At 33 he still has plenty left in the tank and I feel his experience will be vital in 2025. 

The Jets are likely to field a starting offensive line that includes 22-year-old Olu Fashanu, 27-year-old John Simpson, 23-year-old Joe Tipmann and 25-year-old Alijah Vera-Tucker. Having a fully healthy Morgan Moses to support that room would be a big benefit. 

D.J Reed 

Reed has said that he’s looking forward to experiencing free agency to see how teams see him. Considering what he’s put on tape over the last few years, you have to imagine the answer to that question is “very favourably”. 

D.J has spent three good years in New York forming one of the most dominant cornerback trios alongside Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II. He’s coming off a year where he allowed just 58.3% of passes to be completed into his coverage and 7 passes defensed. 

His effort level could never be questioned and that was evident against Miami in the final week of the season where he ran close to the length of the field to make a TD saving tackle. It epitomises the kind of effort and competitiveness that Reed brings to the table, and those guys are players you want to go to war with. 

It may be that the Jets get outbid for Reed, as unfortunately the reality of the NFL salary cap means you can’t pay everyone as much as you’d love to. 

Jamien Sherwood

Sherwood was finally given an opportunity to play consistently in 2024 under unfortunate circumstances (injury to captain C.J Mosley), but he rewarded the Jets patience with an outstanding season, one to be proud of as a first-time starter. 

Before this season Jamien had played just 357 defensive snaps across three years as he transitioned from safety to linebacker and say behind Mosley to learn how to be a leader and general on the defensive side of the ball. 

This season Sherwood played 1,063 defensive snaps and led the team with 158 tackles which included 98 individual tackles, 2 sacks, 3 passes defensed and 10 tackles for a loss. 

That was in his first year as a starter, imagine what he could do in year two. Think to the improvement we saw with Quincy Williams. To me Sherwood should be the priority signing of the off-season for the Jets. 

NEW YORK JETS TO PLAY IN LONDON IN 2025

Jets Will Return to London in 2025, Set to Host a Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
President Hymie Elhai: ‘It’s Another Great Opportunity for Our Organization’

The National Football League announced Friday the Jets will play an international game in London during the 2025 regular season. The Green & White will host one of their home games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the U.S.

“We are excited to bring the unique and entertaining atmosphere of a New York Jets home game to London as part of the 2025 NFL International Games,” said Jets president Hymie Elhai. “It is another great opportunity for our organization to build upon our brand and fandom in the U.K. which we have enjoyed cultivating the last few years. The success of the NFL’s international games speaks directly to the sport’s increasing global reach, and we are proud to continue as ambassadors of the game.”

The international contest will mark the Jets’ third game in Tottenham in five seasons but first as the “home” club. As the “visiting” team at the stadium referred to by some as “New White Hart Lane,” the Jets dropped one-score contests to the Falcons and Vikings in 2021 and last October, respectively. The Jets’ opponent at Tottenham, along with the game date and kickoff time will be announced when the NFL’s full 2025 schedule is revealed this spring.

“We look forward to welcoming the Jets, Browns and Jaguars to London as part of the 2025 NFL International Games,” said NFL U.K. & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson. “This season will see us surpass 40 regular season games in the capital, a testament to the role the U.K. has played in growing the game globally. The London games are a continued catalyst for year-round fan engagement and we are focused on serving our 15 million fans, reaching new communities and driving growth in flag football participation, which now sees over 100,000 young people play the game.”

This year’s London game will be the seventh game played by the Jets outside the United States. In the regular season, the Jets have won twice on the international stage, 19-13 over the Bills in Toronto in 2009 before a 27-14 takedown of the Dolphins at Wembley Stadium in 2015.

As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, the Jets hold marketing rights in the United Kingdom. The initiative awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities.

While both the Jets and the Browns will host games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Jaguars will return to Wembley Stadium as part of their multi-year commitment to playing a game in the U.K..

Beginning in 2025, the NFL can schedule up to eight league-operated regular season games internationally. The NFL will also play regular season games in Madrid, Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid C.F., and in Berlin, Germany at the Olympic Stadium. Other games and locations will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Since the NFL started playing internationally in 2005, a total of 55 international regular-season games have been staged with London (39), Toronto (6), Mexico City (5), Frankfurt (2), Munich (2) and Brazil (1) all playing host to NFL teams. The league has played a preseason game or regular season game in five of the seven continents.

Fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland can sign up to New York Jets Fan Club, our official international membership programme, and register their interest for tickets now. Existing members can sign in to the portal on the login page, whilst new members can sign up now on our website home page.

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