The Jets expect to be a much-improved team in 2022 from the 4-13 team they were last season. If nothing else, they certainly will look a lot different when training camp opens on July 26.
A lot can happen in the six weeks after that, and it will set the tone for this important season. So here’s a look at the five biggest summer storylines for the Jets…
A year ago, the Jets gave Corey Davis $27 million guaranteed to come and be their No. 1 receiver. A month later, they drafted Elijah Moore in the second round and immediately saw No. 1 potential in him, too. Then, in April, they used the 10th overall pick in the draft on Garrett Wilson -- another No. 1-type receiver.
In the end, though, only one of them can wear the crown.
Maybe it doesn’t matter much who emerges as the Jets’ top receiver this season, as long as somebody does -- because, while it’s great the Jets added so many weapons for quarterback Zach Wilson, the truth is that every great quarterback needs a Davante Adams, a Ja’Marr Chase or Stefon Diggs. They need that one guy who terrifies opposing defenses, who quarterbacks know they can rely on in the clutch.
That’s something Wilson definitely didn’t have last season. Davis played only nine games and had just 34 catches. Moore played only 11 games and had 43. Wilson’s most productive receiver was actually Jamison Crowder, with 51 catches in 12 games -- but he wasn’t re-signed.
Now Wilson has many more options, including two promising tight ends in C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. With Braxton Berrios (46 catches) back, too, there’s no doubt Wilson is surrounded by much better talent. What’s unknown is exactly how that talent will be used.
“It’s a very good problem to have,” said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. “Ultimately, if you’ve got the right guys, organically it’s going to all figure itself out.”
That’s true. At some point, Wilson will find the receiver he’s most comfortable with -- or the one who is the most reliable. LaFleur will figure out what their best roles are and which ones perform best in the most important spots. And they all bring different things. Davis has the experience. Moore has the slippery speed. And Garrett Wilson has the potential to be the most explosive of them all.
One of them, though, will have to emerge as “that guy” -- the Robin to Wilson’s Batman. Maybe it’ll take an entire season to sort it out. But if the Jets can figure it out this summer, their passing game could get off to an impressive start.
