NY Jets news: Michael Carter embracing the competition at RB

The NY Jets added a number of exciting rookies during the course of the 2021 NFL Draft. One such rookie looking to make an impact this season is running back Michael Carter.

A fourth-round pick in this year's draft, Carter might not be receiving the same pre-season hype as his rookie teammates like Zach Wilson or Elijah Moore, but he's expected to make his presence felt sooner rather than later.

Carter will likely be part of a backfield rotation featuring the likes of Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and La'Mical Perine. The added competition could bring out the best in each individual player.

That seems to be the sentiment shared by Carter who expressed a similar belief when speaking with D.J. Bien-Aime II of the New York Daily News in a recent interview.

"My plan is to contribute in a big way going into the year. We have a really good running back room. I feel like people write these guys off because they don’t have the most popular name. We got some real talent in our room and I just think that we all have one goal in mind and that’s just a win. Of course, you want to be the starting running back. I’ll be a fool to sit up on this call and be like ‘Naw I don’t want to be the starting running back.’ I just think that it is a great competition. I think competition is going to turn us all into better players."

Michael Carter

Michael Carter is excited about the NY Jets running back rotation.

Carter expects to "contribute in a big way" this season, and it's hard to argue that he won't. The former North Carolina standout was already receiving plenty of first-team reps this spring.

In fact, by the time minicamp rolled around, Carter was typically the first Jets running back out on the field in team drills. There's a chance the team already sees him as their de facto RB1 going into training camp.

Nonetheless, Carter will still share touches with his teammates, at least early on. A situation that Carter himself appears excited for.

He believes the competition with bring out the best in each of them and turn them all into "better players."

The Jets are sure hoping that's true after the team ranked among the NFL's worst in yards per carry a year ago and finished dead last in rushing scores.

The hope is that Carter will provide a jolt of energy to a Jets backfield that's set to look very different than it did at the start of the 2020 season.

Michael Carter has a chance to emerge as the Jets' lead back before long. But for now, he's embracing the competition.