4 nightmare scenarios for NY Jets in 2024

3. The offensive line is ravaged by injuries for the third season in a row

Outside of poor quarterback play, this has been the biggest cause of the Jets' struggles over the past two seasons. In 2022 the Jets had 11 different players start at least one game along the offensive line, and in 2023 there were 13 different starters.

As we've discussed previously, cohesion among an offensive line is almost as important as the talent of the individual players who make up the unit. The constant shifting and rotating only exacerbates the issue of talent deficiency among second and third-string linemen called upon to step up.

Two of the Jets' best two linemen, left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, are players with lengthy injury histories. Smith has played in just 30 of a possible 67 games over the past four seasons and Vera-Tucker has suffered back-to-back serious season-ending injuries.

Both of Vera-Tucker's injuries occurred while playing tackle so there's some hope that if he can simply stay at one position he'll stay healthy. The Jets better hope that's the case, because while they have adequate depth on the outside with rookie Olu Fashanu, the interior depth leaves a lot to be desired.

The offensive line is a team's offensive engine. That realization is what has devalued the running back position around the league and made talent evaluators seek out quarterbacks who can make off-schedule plays because statuesque pocket passers of yesteryear need elite offensive lines to be successful.

With a QB in his 40s coming off a major injury that's known to limit mobility, offensive line health, and continuity are that much more important for the Jets. It's also the key to fully unlocking star running back Breece Hall's full potential.

The Jets cannot afford a third year in a row where their offensive line is a revolving door and practice squad players like Xavier Newman and Jake Hanson are starting games. If that were to happy again this season it would be a true nightmare for the Jets regardless of who is under center.