Jets CB D.J. Reed embracing 'Super Bowl or bust' mentality

Cornerback D.J. Reed is among the members of the New York Jets embracing sky-high expectations now that Aaron Rodgers is the team's starting quarterback. 

"I just want us to be the best version of ourselves," Reed told media members as he and other Jets players reported for training camp on Wednesday, per Alex Smith of SNY. "That’s just a one-on-one evaluation of yourself every day, coming to the building, being deliberate at practice, during walkthroughs, and obviously, that will translate to the game. My expectation is Super Bowl. That’s just me. Last year that was my expectation, too. That’s what I play for – is to win a Super Bowl." 

Reed and the 2022 Jets were legitimate playoff contenders at 7-5 when backup signal-caller Mike White, starting in place of the benched Zach Wilson, suffered fractures to his ribs that altered the team's fate through Week 18. New York ultimately lost six straight games to finish the campaign at 7-10 and then went big-game hunting for the sport's most important position over the offseason. 

In Rodgers, the Jets have their most-talented quarterback in history, a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player who won the award for the 2020 and 2021 seasons while playing under New York offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett while both were with the Green Bay Packers. Reed acknowledged Wednesday the energy around the franchise "just feels different" ahead of summer practices. 

"Definitely feels like more excitement coming into this year," Reed said. "We got Aaron Rodgers. We got some of our main guys back. We just signed [All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams]. So, I mean, personally, for me, this is probably the most excited I’ve been." 

Reed originally joined the Jets in March 2022. 

While Reed and company unquestionably will have to deal with possible distractions retlating to their being featured on the summer edition of the HBO "Hard Knocks" program, one can't blame the 26-year-old for believing the best is to come for the hopeful championship contenders. As of Wednesday evening, OddsChecker listed the Jets as seventh among betting favorites (+2000 odds) to win Super Bowl LVIII this coming February.