5 NY Jets players who fell well short of expectations in 2023

It's safe to say that the NY Jets fell well short of expectations in 2023. A team that had legitimate Super Bowl aspirations entering the season saw their hopes evaporate when their star quarterback went down with a torn Achilles just four plays into the season.

The Aaron Rodgers injury was undoubtedly a significant blow to the Jets' chances of competing in 2023, but his absence wasn't the only reason the team underachieved.

A number of players on the roster also fell short of expectations and contributed to the Jets' underwhelming 2023 season. Some of those players didn't even finish this year with the Jets.

From free-agent busts to underachieving veterans, let's take a look at five Jets players who fell short of expectations for the team in 2023.

5. Mecole Hardman, WR, NY Jets

When the Jets signed Mecole Hardman last offseason, they promised the speedy wide receiver an expanded role in their offense. This was the same Mecole Hardman who had played more than 50 percent of snaps for the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs the year prior.

Surely this meant the Jets had a large role lined up for Hardman then, right? Not exactly.

The two-time Super Bowl champion quickly fell out of favor with the Jets' coaching staff and found himself plummeting down the depth chart. In total, Hardman would appear in just five games for the Jets, hauling in one catch for six yards before being traded back to Kansas City.

The Jets instead chose to rely on the likes of Randall Cobb and a host of undrafted receivers to fill Hardman's place. So much for that "expanded role" the team envisioned.