Why there are real reasons to be optimistic about the latest Jets rebuild

The New York Jets are 3-10, and beyond the consistently excellent performance of the special teams unit, there haven't been many bright spots. While other franchises, like the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders, have seemingly gone from worst to first in two years or less, the perpetually rebuilding Jets feel like they're walking in quicksand.

There have been many starts and stops. Seemingly, every three years, there is a reset. A new regime, a new quarterback, and a blank slate. The vision for the future never takes flight, grounded on the tarmac due to the mortal errors that will lead to more turnover and the next do-over.

And now we sit roughly three-quarters of the way through the inaugural season of the latest attempt to start over. Will this time around be any better? The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt doesn't think so.

There are certainly reasons to be concerned about this Aaron Glenn-Darren Mougey-led rebuild, but many of Rosenblatt's points can be seen through a more positive lens.

That's what we're going to attempt to do: dissect his qualms to see what's valid and what might have a little more than meets the eye going on.

There are reasons to view the current Jets rebuild in a positive light

1. We knew there would be quarterback issues, but the Jets are poised to address the problem

Rosenblatt cites the performance of Justin Fields compared to other teams, like the New England Patriots, who have exploded under second-year man Drake Maye. The other example he gives is how the Lions turned Jared Goff around, and how Fields has fallen well short of that.

The issue is, while it would have been nice to have Fields undergo a Goff-like renaissance, that was always a long shot. The more likely scenario the Jets were hoping for was that he'd be a caretaker for a year or two until they found the real next franchise quarterback. And with that, they still hedged their bets by keeping Tyrod Taylor around.

Where the Jets deserve credit is how they pivoted once it became clear that even a caretaker role had Fields out of his depth. It would have been easy to cite his pedigree as a reason to give him another year with the core intact, but instead, Mougey blew up that core at the deadline and acquired all the ammunition he needs to go get the next face-of-the-franchise QB.

That's not bad process, but he will have to make the right call come draft day.

2. They haven't always lost in the "Same-Old Jets" style

Jets fans are rightfully tired of the losses being spun as moral victories, and rightfully so. We've seen so many times over the years the club snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and then be told that we should be happy about the showing. Next time we'll get there, but next time never comes.

The Jets have had their fair share of these types of losses this year, but they've also had some games that feel different. The opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers was one such example. Week 8 and Week 13 were games the team would've lost in the past, but ended up winning.

Aaron Glenn has received his fair share of criticism, and he hasn't fully delivered on his promise to make this team one the fans could be proud of, but there have been moments. Especially with the deadline teardown, there needs to be a reset of expectations.

At the same time, debacles like the 34-10 drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins can't happen. But there have been enough flashes to provide some encouragement.

3. The defense hasn't regressed even with the loss of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams

Rosenblatt is correct when he says that the defense lacks an identity. For years, the Jets were a blitz-happy menace under the likes of Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles, and Gregg Williams. The "All Gas, No Brakes" mantra under Robert Saleh got old, but for a time, it did work.

The questions around Steve Wilks are valid. He has not impressed so far this season and has gotten little out of what was a relatively talented unit prior to the trade deadline teardown.

But there have been some success stories, headlined by Brandon Stephens, and also including Jowon Briggs and Jarvis Brownlee. How much credit Wilks can take for that is unclear.

For what it's worth, the Jets have allowed fewer points per game without Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner than they did with them. Through Week 8, the unit was allowing 27.6 points per game. In the weeks that followed the trade deadline, that number dropped to 25.6. That's not the end-all, be-all, but it is something.

4. Rosenblatt is right that the lack of takeaways is a problem

We don't need to go in-depth here. There's no silver lining to be found in this regard, and addressing the lack of defensive playmaking needs to be a major offseason priority.

5. We knew the weapons would be a problem, but John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell provide some hope

The glass-half-full take is that we knew coming in that the trio of Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, and Tyler Johnson supporting Garrett Wilson was going to be bad. Very bad.

However, the acquisitions of John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell have been moves that have brought some hope. Maybe they both won't be future building blocks, but if one emerges as a long-term option, it will be a win.

And that's not to mention Mason Taylor. The rookie has shown enough flashes that you can be confident that he won't flame out like young tight ends of the past.

6. Breece Hall needs to be more involved in the passing game, but his resurgence on the ground is encouraging

Breece Hall needs to be more involved in the passing game; this much is true. However, as a rusher, he looks rejuvenated after a dismal 2024 campaign. Maybe the knee injury he suffered last year was truly more serious than previously thought.

His performance turned him from a prime trade candidate to a prime extension candidate. The value of investing long-term into a running back is always questionable, but what's been in Hall's control, he's delivered upon. That's all you can ask.

7. Of course the Jets defense has holes

The final criticism Rosenblatt levies is against the defensive personnel. He's not wrong in saying that it's lacking, but as a rebuilding team, can you really expect much more?

The Jets traded two of the best defenders at their positions, so the talent level clearly has thinned, but that might be a necessary step back.

Still, some of the building blocks that Rosenblatt notes were brilliant under-the-radar moves like the trades for Jowon Briggs and Jarvis Brownlee. Those two cost next to nothing to acquire and are young ascending players performing above expectations.

You can add the mid-round picks of Azareye'h Thomas and Malachi Moore to the mix as well. Neither has necessarily proven that they are foundational pieces, but they've shown enough to give them some rope and see what happens.