3 former NY Jets players shining with their new teams

1. Jason Pinnock

The Jets didn't part ways with Jason Pinnock this offseason, but the progress he's made this summer still qualifies him for a spot on this list. Pinnock is lighting it up with his new team, the New York Giants.

The Jets made the controversial decision to release Pinnock as part of final roster cuts last summer. The former fifth-round pick had impressed in limited snaps as a rookie, and many believe he could even push for a starting job in his second season.

Given how much Lamarcus Joyner struggled last year, the Jets probably wish they held onto Pinnock. Instead, he was claimed off waivers by the Giants, preventing the Jets from sneaking him onto their practice squad.

Pinnock immediately became a regular special-teams contributor for the Giants, and he soon found himself in the starting lineup due to injuries. Now, entering the 2023 season, he's penciled in as the starter opposite Xavier McKinney.

Pinnock has been the star of Giants training camp to this point, and his performance in their first preseason game was so impressive that the team opted to take him out of the game early because they had seen enough.

While the Jets have struggled with inconsistent safety play over the last couple of seasons, Pinnock is proving to be a waiver-wire steal for the Giants. That only makes his surprising release all the more egregious.

The Giants believe they have a long-term starting piece of their defense in the former Pittsburgh cornerback. Meanwhile, the Jets are still scrambling for answers at the position, even if someone like Tony Adams is promising.

Oh, what could've been.