The NY Jets missed on these parts of the offense in 2023

For NFL general managers, they must get a quarterback before they absolutely need one. When they find themselves unprepared, the dam has already broken. The NY Jets' dam broke in the form of their backup Zach Wilson.

The tenure or experiment of Wilson is over, but not for his lack of arm talent. Wilson couldn’t regularly work through passing progressions. This fact was evident in 2022. Aaron Rodgers’ mentoring was supposed to reverse Wilson’s confidence.

Unsureness in his processing ability proves that he’s a third-stringer. Teams need to have a semblance of a capable passer. New York, in particular, needed two of them this season.

Quarterback is from the only issue with the NY Jets offense

Pass protection will be a top priority for the Jets during the offseason. The Jets will show Duane Brown the door this winter. Brown had surgery on a torn rotator cuff from last season. He was 38 when the season started.

Although the Jets admired his toughness in the recovery process, keeping proved overly optimistic. During Weeks 1 and 2, ESPN analytics had Brown last among offensive tackles in pass-block win rate. He went on IR until November 23 with a hip injury.

Kayvon Thibodeaux may have ended Mekhi Becton’s Jets career beyond this season. Two of Thibodeaux’s three sacks were in a matchup with Becton. Getting overmatched at the point of a speed rush isn’t sustainable, especially when Rodgers returns.

Offensive lineman should also never cut block again out of fear that their quarterback might get injured. It is one of the worst ideas in league history. If the Jets decide to draft an offensive lineman in every round in which they’re eligible, you can’t blame their rationale. 

With all of the flaws in the Jets’ offense, from their line to their pass designs, the wide receivers failed to get separation. Garrett Wilson did his fair share of getting open, but the same doesn’t apply to his teammates.

Mecole Hardman could’ve been a vertical threat, but he barely saw the field before being traded. Allen Lazard is the run-blocking man, which is different from running away from safeties. Randall Cobb’s most memorable Jets moment might’ve come from a blindside block during the preseason.

Xavier Gipson is part of the future of the receiver room. Speed matters, and Gipson has it. How he fares with Rodgers remains a question. The receiver room needs an overhaul — one not necessarily in the old mold of a former Packers scheme.