Steve Wilks' Panthers ties could bring key reinforcements to the NY Jets secondary

Changes are aplenty in NY Jets land as an entirely new football regime has taken over. Under new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, the front office and coaching staff have been reshaped. The next phase is the roster.

With NFL free agency quickly approaching, the Jets have over two dozen pending free agents, many of whom are on the defensive side of the ball. The one area of potential departees that sticks out like a sore thumb is the Jets' secondary.

Among the names set to hit unrestricted free agency are cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Brandin Echols, and Kendall Sheffield. The unrestricted list at safety is even more pronounced. Not including restricted free agent Tony Adams. Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis, Jalen Mills, and Isaiah Oliver are all 2024 Jets who will be free to fly the coop.

As a result, the Jets will have a new flight plan in 2025 under defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. It's possible that the Jets could add multiple free agents to a barren safety position, not only as a necessity but also from a preferential standpoint.

Wilks and Aaron Glenn's primary area of expertise is the defensive backfield. As is the case with any new football braintrust, they will be looking for players who fit their style of play and ethos.

It just so happens that multiple pending free-agent defensive backs have ties to Wilks from his extended time in Carolina during two separate stints. Here are some names that could be New York Jets in 2025.

The NY Jets could target Jeremy Chinn, Xavier Woods, Sam Franklin, and Donte Jackson in free agency

Jeremy Chinn could be one of the more sought-after safeties on the free-agent market. This comes after a breakout season with the Washington Commanders. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of Southern Illinois rekindled his career in 2024 after becoming an afterthought in Carolina.

The 6'3, 220-pound safety with 4.4 timed speed was an explosive hybrid strong safety for the Panthers in his first few seasons. However, a scheme change after Wilks's departure to San Francisco saw Chinn take one on the chin, being relegated to a backup role.

Still only 27 years old, Chinn should have a formidable market for his services after galvanizing his career in Dan Quinn's defense. He may stay in Washington, but he fits what his former coach Wilks and the Jets are precisely looking for.

Two other less prominent safeties that could reunite with Wilks in New York are Sam Franklin and Xavier Woods.

Woods has extensive starting experience at free safety, netting 111 starts over eight seasons, the last three with Carolina. He was one of the Panthers' primary free-agent signings in 2022 when Wilks was Carolina's pass game coordinator/secondary coach and then, eventually, interim head coach.

Woods could be looking for a fresh start with a familiar face in Wilks.

Franklin, an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2020, has been one of the more beloved players in the Panthers locker room over the last five seasons. Mostly a spot starter and core special teamer, Franklin would be a depth piece for Wilks' defense if he were to rejoin his former DC in New York.

Cornerback Donte Jackson is another former Carolina player who has a strong bond with the Jets' new defensive coordinator. Jackson was one of Wilks' biggest advocates in the Panthers locker room.

The 4.30 speedster, a former second-round pick out of LSU, is coming off a five-interception season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The savvy vet has the traits to be a stop-gap starter opposite Sauce Gardner or can slide inside to the slot if needed.

Knowledge is power, and the familiarity that Wilks and his players share could lead to a reunion in the Jets' secondary.

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