Can the Jets Offense Overcome a Glaring Hole?

For the New York Jets, creating offense has been one of the most challenging tasks over the last few seasons. Despite trying to create a playoff-contending offense a few years ago with the pickup of Aaron Rodgers, the points never really came, and the offense remained one of the worst throughout the NFL. Even last season, when Rodgers had the chance to throw to both Garrett Wilson and his old teammate Davante Adams, the Jets still never created the offense that they had hoped they could years prior. With the trade for Justin Fields this offseason, the Jets are once again hoping they can create an offense that can put points on the board and be a playoff contender. 

The only issue with this hope stems from the receiver’s room. Although only a season ago Allen Lazard was almost off of the depth chart, he now finds himself once again in the main core of wide receivers Fields has the chance to throw to. If the season began today, Josh Reynolds would be the number two wide receiver behind Wilson. Last season, Reynolds only had 13 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown. He wouldn’t find himself as the number two receiver on most teams, yet he may be the one the Jets have to turn to. 

While this certainly isn’t the ideal situation for the Jets, it shouldn’t be something that the new coaching regime can’t find the solution to. When new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was with the Detroit Lions in 2023, Reynolds was also the number two wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. That season, the Lions were able to win 12 games and ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring. That season, Reynolds was the fourth targeted receiver. With Breece Hall poised to have a bounceback year and Mason Taylor projected to be a huge part of the equation for the Jets this season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team follow a similar path. While the wide receiver trio of Wilson, Reynolds, and Lazard won’t turn a lot of heads, a trio of Wilson, Taylor, and Hall can be just enough for the Jets to score points this upcoming season.