JETS 101
NEW YORK JETS ARRIVALS: THE 2023 NEWCOMERS

As the New York Jets squad enjoys a well-earned summer break ahead of Training Camp, we thought we’d take a look at the newest arrivals on the roster coming into the 2023 season.

For the purposes of this article, we’re omitting rookies from the exercise, with a breakdown of our first year players likely to come a little closer to Training Camp.

There have been additions made across the team, with none quite as eye-catching as the well-documented arrival of Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers via trade. Let’s break them down, starting on the offensive side of the ball.

OFFENCE

Quarterback – Aaron Rodgers

The Jets new QB1 needs little in the way of introduction but indulge us for just a moment. Now 39 years old, the signal-caller had spent his entire 17-year career to date with the Green Bay Packers, establishing himself as one of the best passers in NFL history.

A Super Bowl champion (and MVP) in the 2010 season, four NFL MVP awards, 10 Pro Bowl selections, over 5,000 completions and nearly 60,000 passing yards to go with an NFL record 475-105 TD-INT ratio.

He arrives in New York as one of the most eagerly anticipated Jets arrivals in franchise history.

Quarterback – Tim Boyle

Another new face in the quarterback room following the departures of Mike White and Joe Flacco, Tim Boyle has been in the league since 2018, when he signed with the Green Bay Packers and played as Aaron Rodgers’ backup for three seasons.

After short stints with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, he teams up with Rodgers again here in New York.

Wide Receiver – Allen Lazard

Rodgers’ teammate for the last four seasons in Green Bay, Allen Lazard signed with the Jets via free agency back in March. He racked up over 2,000 receiving yards with the Packers, emerging as one of their top wideout options despite a tougher journey than most to even reach the NFL, having gone undrafted in 2018.

A big-bodied receiver with a large catch radius, Lazard will offer the ability to stretch the field and make tough contested catches, while his existing rapport with Rodgers should make the adjustment to the new offence an easier proposition.

Wide Receiver – Mecole Hardman

Another new face in the receiver room, Mecole Hardman arrived via free agency from Kansas City, signing a few days after Lazard. He established himself as a key member of the high-flying Chiefs offence following his arrival into the league in 2019, with his game-changing speed as his calling card.

He has contributed in the passing game, the running game and even as a punt returner, and could be involved in all three facets again with the Jets, who may wish to get creative with his deployment around the field.

Wide Receiver – Randall Cobb

The final new addition to the receiver room, and another one who is very familiar with the new face throwing the football at Florham Park.

Randall Cobb spent the first eight years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, returning again for the past two seasons and catching over 500 passes and 40 touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers. He was a Pro Bowler in 2014 after his most successful season, with 91 receptions, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Now 32 years of age, Cobb provides experience and reliability from the slot, where he has been hugely productive throughout his career.

Offensive Line – Wes Schweitzer

Bolstering the offensive line was a goal for the Jets over the course of the offseason, after injuries besieged the group last year. They made an early addition in free agency, acquiring interior lineman Wes Schweitzer, formerly of the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons.

Schweitzer has played at both guard and centre, starting 60 games in his NFL career, and is expected to provide depth to the Jets offensive line group.

Offensive Line – Trystan Colon

Another addition to the Jets interior OL, Trystan Colon signed with the team in March after three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Colon also has experience at both guard and centre, serving as a swing backup for much of his time with Baltimore, a role he looks likely to reprise with the Jets this season.

Offensive Line – Billy Turner

A ten-year NFL veteran, Billy Turner joins the Jets after stop-offs at four other franchises: the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, with two of those stints seeing him team up with current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

His three year run with the Packers means he also has experience with an Aaron Rodgers-led offence, and he will bring knowledge and perspective to the group. He has experience playing at both tackle positions and may be called on in a starting or backup role this season for the green and white.

DEFENCE

Defensive Line – Quinton Jefferson

On the defensive side of the line, the Jets had a couple of vacancies to fill, following the departures of interior defenders Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd. Quinton Jefferson will step up in that regard, arriving from Seattle where he has played three stints over his seven year career.

Jefferson’s strength will be in the pass-rush game, where he has collected 10 sacks over the past two seasons. He could team up with Quinnen Williams on the interior to cause major disruption in the passing game.

Defensive Line – Al Woods

Al Woods is another former Seahawk, although his 13-year career has actually spanned seven NFL franchises, meaning the 36-year old brings experience and nous to a young Jets DL unit.

In contrast to Jefferson, Woods’ biggest contribution is likely to come in the run game, where he has carved out a reputation as one of the most productive run stuffers in the league.

Safety – Adrian Amos

Their most recent addition to the roster, the Jets added veteran safety Adrian Amos last week, bolstering their secondary.

Another former Packer, Amos has 10 career interceptions and has appeared in every regular season game over the past five seasons, giving the Jets depth and versatility at the safety position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter – Thomas Morstead

The final name in our long list of Jets additions, Thomas Morstead signed with the team in April and is the presumed starting punter heading into the 2023 season.

Morstead has played for the Jets before, appearing in seven games for them in 2021. Previous to that, the 36-year old spent 12 years as the punter for the New Orleans Saints, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All Pro honours in 2012.