Can the NY Jets' 2022 defense replicate the 49ers' 2019 defense?

The NY Jets 2021 season is over and it did not exactly go as planned, as the team finished 4-13. While Zach Wilson’s play was up and down all season, the biggest disappointment of the year was perhaps the defense, which finished last in the league in yards and points allowed.

The unit did face injuries to star pass rusher Carl Lawson and starting safety Marcus Maye, and depth constantly got dinged up as well. In fact, the Jets started seven different safety combinations over the course of this season.

Key injuries or not, though, the Jets' defense was the worst in the league. When Gang Green brought in Robert Saleh to be their head coach, fans were excited for the potential of this Jets defense, but it has only disappointed.

However, general manager Joe Douglas will have incredible resources at hand this offseason, leaving ample opportunity to improve this unit. Additionally, given that this unit was so young, as well as banged up, it is assumed that time alone will also improve this side of the ball.

Thus, the Jets' defense should be better next season. The question is, how much better? Is there any chance they come close to that defensive dominance that Saleh demonstrated in 2019 in San Francisco?

A deep dive into the personnel of that 49ers defense will prove that, assuming a few major acquisitions, the Jets next year could actually potentially match up.