4 NY Jets players who shouldn't be back next year (but probably will be)

The NY Jets are set to enter an offseason that will make or break the future of both the current regime and the organization as a whole. The Jets can ill-afford to make the same mistakes they did a year ago if they're to salvage their current window of opportunity.

That means the Jets will need to be smarter with their free-agent acquisitions and land more instant-impact contributors in the 2024 NFL Draft. Before all of that, however, the Jets must first evaluate their current roster.

The Jets underperformed in 2023, and while much of that can be blamed on the Aaron Rodgers injury, there were other factors at play. Some players fell well short of expectations.

The following four players might not deserve to be back with the Jets in 2024, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. Don't be surprised if these four players are still on the Jets' roster next season.

4. Jordan Whitehead, S, NY Jets

"Probably" is a strong word as it pertains to the future of Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead is set to be a free agent this offseason, and it's unclear if the Jets have any plans to bring him back.

Based on merit alone, they shouldn't. Whitehead was arguably the weakest link in an otherwise outstanding Jets defense in 2023, leading all NFL safeties in both missed tackles and touchdowns allowed.

Fellow Jets safeties Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis are also free agents this offseason, and both of them have a stronger case to return. The Jets might not feel the same way, however.

The Jets seem to think much more highly of their safety room, specifically Whitehead, than fans and media alike. That's why there's still a decent chance Whitehead is re-signed in the offseason if the price is right.