ESPN made sure to give the Jets 1 final backhanded compliment before training camp

Considering how rough the national media has been on the New York Jets throughout the offseason, even a backhanded compliment feels like a victory.

And credit to ESPN’s Ben Solak, who went away from the trend of bashing the Jets by any means necessary. While evaluating the Jets’ cornerback situation, Solak referenced last year’s infamous interception drought. 

The good news, at least for Jets fans, is that Solak was willing to offer even the slightest bit of hope for the coming season. 

“That record might stand forever, as it takes a preposterously bad run of luck to never snag one errant pass or tipped ball,” Solak wrote. “Still, the Jets poured veteran talent into their roster to stiffen up coach Aaron Glenn’s defensive unit in Year 2.”

Naturally, who else is prepared for T’Vondre Sweat to be the one who snags the Jets’ first interception in nearly two years?

The Jets’ cornerback battle remains worth watching

In all seriousness, Solak’s mild optimism fits with the relatively good vibes among the fanbase regarding the Jets’ cornerback situation — and that’s despite last year’s Sauce Gardner trade, which is even more telling. 

I personally don’t subscribe to what seems to be revisionist history about Gardner. The national media has seemingly realized what most Jets fans knew all along: Gardner is a great player, but he’s no Darrelle Revis or Patrick Surtain II. 

That’s not to say D’Angelo Ponds or second-year corner Azareye’h Thomas are about to play at a Hall of Fame level. Ponds, the No. 50 pick this past April, might nonetheless have a path to significant playing time given Glenn’s adoration for someone who has walked a similar path as an undersized cornerback. 

The Nahshon Wright signing has gone under the radar, perhaps in part because of Ponds and the Jets’ stacked draft class. It becomes easy to forget about a cornerback on a one-year prove-it deal if he’s not a former All-Pro or a future Hall of Famer. 

More than anything, though, Solak’s analysis tells me that ESPN is taking a break from the doom and gloom, at least as it pertains to the Jets. The Browns, Cardinals, and Raiders likely won’t be so lucky. 

And as for the Titans, the Robert Saleh redemption tour has been underway for well over a year. That’s why the inevitable first-quarter interception of Cam Ward will have Jets fans feeling a certain type of way come Week 1. 

Hey, if Solak is willing to think positively, then maybe we should do the same. 

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