Mason Taylor reveals major change coming to Jets offense in 2025

The New York Jets underwent significant changes on the offense during the offseason. Headlined by new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and quarterback Justin Fields, it's safe to say New York will look a lot different when they open up the 2025 season against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.

Other changes included adding pass catchers through free agency and the draft. One of the most notable additions was Mason Taylor, whom the Jets selected 42nd overall. Taylor, son of former Jet Jason Taylor, will look to bring his success at LSU to Florham Park.

In a recent interview with team reporter Caroline Hendershot, Taylor revealed that "tight ends are definitely going to be used." This comes after an offseason spent learning Tanner Engstrand's system.

These comments should come as welcome news for Jets fans as the 2025 season approaches. For the first time in a long time, the Jets' offense under Tanner Engstrand has a real plan for the tight end position.

Mason Taylor should play a key role for the NY Jets offense in 2025

It has been a very long time since the Jets got consistent production from the tight end position. Despite two productive years from Tyler Conklin in 2022 and 2023, the veteran took a step back last season, finishing 27th among tight ends in yards.

Other tight ends that the Jets have deployed during this playoff drought include Ryan Griffin, Chris Herndon, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jeff Cumberland, Jace Amaro, and many others. The last truly reliable player at the position was Dustin Keller, who spent five seasons with the Jets from 2008-2012.

From 2008-2011, Keller finished on average 10th in the NFL among tight ends in yards over those four seasons. His best season came in 2011 when the former first-round pick hauled in 65 receptions for 815 yards and five touchdowns, which were all career highs.

Ever since that point, it's been all downhill for the Jets at the position. Since 2012, Jets tight ends have finished on average 32nd among tight ends in yards. This essentially means out of all 32 starting tight ends every year since 2012, New York finishes near or at the bottom.

For Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, the hope is that Mason Taylor is a long-term solution at a position where the Jets have been searching for answers.

Taylor's ceiling is unknown, but he enters the NFL with a very high floor, which he showed off at LSU. During his three seasons, Taylor proved himself as a reliable and consistent receiver, along with his underrated in-line blocking ability.

The 21-year-old ended his LSU career as the most productive tight end in program history, finishing first all-time in receptions (129) and yards (1,308). Taylor's steady hands and ability to find pockets in the defense also showed as he caught a pass in 37 of 38 career games played and finished his career on a 28-game pass-catching streak.

When looking at what to expect from Taylor in his rookie season, there is a real chance he finishes within the top three leading pass catchers on the team behind Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.

A successful first year for the LSU product could see him haul in 50-60 receptions for 500-600 yards, and in the ballpark of five touchdowns. The next step for Taylor would be getting to the 700-800+ yard mark, which, with continued development, he could turn into that type of weapon.

Not only on the surface does it seem Tanner Engstrand has a plan for the second-round pick, but Justin Fields, throughout his career, has relied heavily on tight ends and has had success doing it.

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