Darren Mougey's big offseason mistake is already ruining 2025 Jets

The New York Jets have not put up the best showing early in the Aaron Glenn era, as they have fallen to 0-4 after a penalty and mistake-filled night against a Miami Dolphins team that came into this Monday Night Football matchup as a winless team. Things are looking grim for both Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey after one month.

The lack of talent on both sides of the ball is evident, but much of that can be explained as the growing pains that come from Year 1 of a new regime. What can't be justified is how pathetic this entire wide receiver room is outside of their lone star player in Garrett Wilson.

Jets receivers without the last name Wilson, against a Miami defense that has the worst cornerback room in football (and only had four of those players active in this game), caught a pathetic one pass for eight yards on a meaningless Allen Lazard play that amounted to nothing.

With rookie Arian Smith going through growing pains, Josh Reynolds looking like a shell of himself, and Lazard looking mentally checked out, Mougey's decision not to find a competent WR2 is killing this Jets offense.

Darren Mougey is to blame for Jets' lack of WR talent

Outside of Wilson, Tyler Johnson (who was inactive against Miami) is the only other wide receiver on the roster who is on pace for over 200 yards on the year. That is not a typo or a misprint. Lazard is on pace for 89 receiving yards this year, and he is playing a plurality of snaps in most games.

Reynolds has had a fine career, but he is very clearly toast as a starting playmaker in this league. Smith has speed and potential, but he is a raw player who is unplayable as a blocker right now. Whenever Smith comes into a game, it is obvious the Jets are going to pass.

The Jets have a very strong running game, and quarterback Justin Fields has been able to rip some nice throws when the offense lets him cut it loose, but this team is forced to play an ultra-conservative style of play due to their lack of perimeter talent.

The Jets will need multiple wide receivers to be added in the offseason. Multiple teams likely have fourth-string or fifth-string wide receivers who would be WR2 on the Jets instantly, and that mistake falls on Mougey and Glenn for thinking this product could be competitive without addressing this flaw.

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