4 former NY Jets who thrived with their new teams in 2024

The 2024 season was a difficult one for the NY Jets and many of the players on their roster. The Jets entered the year with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and Super Bowl aspirations only to suffer through one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

Regime turnover, contract drama, and organizational dysfunction highlighted what was a disastrous season for the green and white. Given the Jets' struggles in 2024, it's safe to say a number of their former players are happy they were able to jump ship when they did.

The Jets parted ways with a few notable players last offseason, and a few of them went on to find great success this past season. Let's take a look at four former Jets who thrived with their new teams in 2024.

Former NY Jets who thrived with new teams in 2024

4. Carl Lawson, DE, Dallas Cowboys

The Carl Lawson signing was a disaster for the Jets. The Jets signed Lawson to a three-year, $45 million contract in what seemed like a prudent move at the time. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles suffered in his first summer with the team kickstarted an injury-plagued three years in Florham Park.

Lawson played just six games in 2023, recording a measly two pressures as he struggled through another injury-riddled season. It seemed like the writing was on the wall for Lawson's career when the Jets opted not to re-sign him in the offseason.

But Lawson found new life after signing with the Dallas Cowboys in late August. Initially a practice squad player, Lawson impressed and was able to earn a regular spot in the Cowboys' rotation.

The former star edge rusher played 15 games, recording six sacks and 27 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus. He also added a forced fumble and 15 QB hits.

Lawson didn't light the world on fire in 2024, but he proved that he still has enough left in the tank to be a quality piece in any defensive line rotation. The Jets certainly could have used that production this season.

3. Laken Tomlinson, LG, Seattle Seahawks

Another free-agent bust for the Jets was former starting left guard Laken Tomlinson. Tomlinson's three-year, $40 million contract signed prior to the 2022 season made him one of the higher-paid offensive guards in football at the time. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to that hefty deal.

Tomlinson started all 34 games for the Jets in 2022 and 2023 but struggled mightily. It came as no surprise when the Jets released him before the end of his contract this past offseason.

The former Pro Bowler found success after signing a one-year, $1.21 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in April of last year, however. Tomlinson started all 17 games at left tackle and finished with his highest PFF grades since his time in San Francisco.

Tomlinson allowed 13 fewer pressures and finished with a 62.1 PFF grade that ranked 46th out of all qualified offensive guards. His 65.1 PFF pass-block grade ranked 35th among 72 qualifiers while his run-block grade was over 10 pointers higher than either of his Jets seasons.

Much like Lawson, Tomlinson didn't necessarily play at an All-Pro level in 2024, but he was a quality starting guard who was signed to a near-veteran minimum contract. The Seahawks were thrilled with his performance this season.

2. Mekhi Becton, OL, Philadelphia Eagles

Mekhi Becton experienced a career renaissance in 2024. The Jets castoff signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason with no clear path to a starting role. He was projected to be a backup swing tackle behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson before making a career-changing switch.

Becton was moved to guard in the summer and managed to earn the starting right guard job after an impressive showing in training camp and the preseason. The Louisville product thrived at his new position.

Becton finished with a career-high 75.2 Pro Football Focus grade, allowing just three sacks and 25 pressures. For context, he was credited with allowing a whopping 12 sacks and 50 pressures in his final year with the Jets.

The former first-round pick was a key piece in the Eagles' starting offensive line and is expected to garner significant interest this offseason if he's not retained. All it took was a position change and a better supporting cast for Becton to finally tap into the potential he showed in his rookie year.

1. John Franklin-Myers, DL, Denver Broncos

You can excuse the Jets for parting ways with the other three players on this list. I don't think anyone was pining for the Jets to bring back any of Lawson, Tomlinson, or especially Becton in 2024. But the same cannot be said about John Franklin-Myers.

The Jets inexcusably traded Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos on draft day for a sixth-round pick two years in the future citing the move as a "cap casualty." In reality, the Jets simply undervalued JFM and mismanaged their defensive line situation.

Franklin-Myers was fantastic for the Broncos in 2024. The former Jets waiver claim finished eight sacks, 53 pressures, and 23 total run stops — all of which were career highs. His 78.3 PFF grade ranked 11th among all 125 qualified interior defensive linemen while his 82.9 pass-block grade ranked fourth among 100 qualifiers.

Franklin-Myers was an extremely versatile and valuable defensive lineman for the Jets and he elevated his game to another level in Denver. The Jets believed that the much-maligned Micheal Clemons would be able to suitably fill JFM's role in 2024.

They were wrong, and the Broncos were the biggest beneficiaries. Trading Franklin-Myers destroyed the Jets' defensive line and one could argue it indirectly led to the firings of both Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas.