NFL Monday Night Football kicks off Sept. 11 when the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. After a chaotic offseason that featured the signing of four-time league MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. Adding these two veterans to the roster has the potential to revolutionize the Jets offense.
For starters, Rodgers can serve as a mentor to another young #17, his star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who in his rookie season in 2022, amassed 1,103 yards, 83 receptions, and four touchdowns. With Rodgers as the primary QB, Wilson won't have to worry about switching quarterbacks between, Mike White, Zach Wilson and Joe Flacco as he did in his rookie season, and neither will the rest of the Jets receiving corps.
In addition to Rodgers, the Jets signed Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, wide receivers from Green Bay, who will serve as fantastic role players behind second-year receiver, Garrett Wilson. Lazard's league experience and his familiarity with Rodgers should place him in the WR2 slot this season. While Lazard reinjured his shoulder this preseason, a repeat of the injury he sustained in the Oct. 23, 2022 matchup vs. the Washington Commanders, he is expected to play Week 1 vs. the Bills.
In Week 7 of the 2022-2023 NFL season vs. the Broncos, rookie running back Breece Hall suffered a torn ACL and injured the meniscus in his left knee, which sidelined him for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season. Before his injury, the promising tailback averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in seven games. Jets fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for their young back, but with the uncertainty of his status for Week 1, the Jets also signed four-time Pro Bowl runningback Dalvin Cook from the Minnesota Vikings.
Much like Aaron Jones on the Packers, Cook is a dual-threat RB who in 2022 not only ran for 1,173 yards and 8 touchdowns, but also caught 39 passes for 2 touchdowns. This dynamic makes the Jets' offense more versatile since defenses must defend Cook as a running back and a receiver.
Overall, this young Jets team will benefit from the leadership of veterans Rodgers and Cook, who can serve as mentors to second-year stars, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. The Jets Nation has a right to be excited about their offense’s potential this upcoming season.
