5 bold predictions for the Jets' 2025 offseason

To say that the Jets’ plans for the 2024 season were derailed would be an understatement.

After a 2-3 start, head coach Robert Saleh’s firing was intended to give the team a spark, but it had the opposite effect, as they soon fell out of contention. General manager Joe Douglas soon followed Saleh into unemployment, so we know major changes are forthcoming in 2025.

Nobody knows who the head coach, general manager, or quarterback will be in 2025. In addition, whether or not each of the Jets' top players will be back next season is still up in the air in many cases.

Here are five bold predictions for the Jets' offseason...

1. The Jets head into a new era with Aaron Glenn as their head coach

There are still a number of viable candidates to be the new Jets' head coach, and Glenn is certainly in that mix. The former Jets Pro Bowl cornerback and first-round pick would be a logical choice for the role, despite the fact that he’s another first-time head coach from a defensive background.

Glenn wants the job, has adapted well to overcome injury issues this year with Detroit, knows owner Woody Johnson well, and seems to have the character and personality to deal with the challenges of turning a team around in the New York market.

It has been widely suggested that the Jets are looking for an experienced coach on the offensive side of the ball, but if the decision makers can get over the fact that his background is somewhat similar to his predecessor, Glenn could start to look like the best choice for this job.

2. The return of some familiar faces

One of the better acquisitions the Jets made in 2024 was to bring back right tackle Morgan Moses after he had been in Baltimore for the past two seasons. With a new regime in place, bringing back more players who left the organization within the last few years becomes all the more likely.

While it perhaps won’t be a big name they invest major resources like, for example, Sam Darnold, the Glenn hire could create this situation if he was to bring in John Morton as his offensive coordinator and linebacker Demario Davis to anchor his defense and help install his system. Glenn worked closely with both while in New Orleans.

If the Jets were to bring in Davis, it would likely mean that C.J. Mosley is a cap casualty, having only played four times this past season. The Jets could still re-sign Jamien Sherwood, though, so he could learn the ropes from the 36-year old before taking over as the long-term defensive quarterback.

3. Aaron Rodgers stays, but Davante Adams leaves

Whether or not Rodgers returns is up in the air. While it’s widely assumed that if Rodgers returns, Davante Adams will too – and that if he leaves, so will Adams – some people have been workshopping scenarios where Adams stays despite Rodgers’ departure. For example, maybe Rodgers will retire or the Jets will make a move for Adams’ college teammate, Derek Carr.

However, what if it went the one way nobody has considered and the Jets were to retain Rodgers but let Adams go? This would signify to Rodgers that Garrett Wilson is to be the unquestioned No. 1 receiver going forward. It would also mean that Rodgers is no longer going to be calling the shots, because they need him to prove he can succeed in being competitive and mentoring a young heir apparent without everything tailored to his design.

The cap savings realized by moving Adams could theoretically help to justify the cost of retaining Rodgers, which, given his age, is unquestionably a big risk. That might be more palatable to whoever the new general manager is as a short-term outlook.

4. Wholesale changes on the special teams unit

After 10 years as their special teams coach, it seems likely that Brant Boyer’s tenure will come to an end when the new head coach selects his staff. Other than Johnson himself, Boyer has been in the organization longer than virtually every significant member of the coaching staff, active roster or front office, but him leaving would probably also foreshadow the departure of some of his units’ key contributors.

Kicker Greg Zuerlein and punter Thomas Morstead are both under contract for 2025, but Zuerlein had a rough 2024 season and Morstead was underwhelming, so both could be released to create some more cap room. Return specialist Xavier Gipson will likely head to training camp to compete for a roster spot, but it’s likely that the team will bring in competition in an effort to upgrade.

Some of the other key contributors include primary gunner Irv Charles, who is a pending exclusive rights free agent, and leading tackler Chazz Surratt, who will be a restricted free agent. It seems likely that Charles will be back, but Surratt might not be.

5. Drafting their quarterback of the future or trading down for more assets -- how about both?

With the seventh pick in the upcoming draft, many are wondering whether the Jets will look to draft their quarterback of the future. However, others will suggest that the most pragmatic thing to do would be to trade down and add some more young talent with potential.

With the success Bo Nix had this season while leading the Broncos to the postseason after being the 12th overall pick, perhaps the Jets can have the best of both worlds and move down a few spots while still picking up a capable option in the first round.