Are the Jets Preseason Overreactions Fact or Fiction?

Thanks to their resoundingly successful first outing, Jets media and fandom were quick to throw out bold, optimistic takes about the team. The majority of the time, these takes are overreactions and will age badly. However, do any of them seem reasonable? Or are they all fiction?

Top Ten O-Line?

Throughout the past two offseasons, one of the biggest positives for the Jets was their commitment to the offensive line.

Last season, the Jets drafted offensive tackle Olu Fashanu . Fashanu allowed only one sack in his rookie season. New York  then drafted offensive tackle Armand Membou in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The two young pieces join guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, who bring a veteran presence to the unit.

The only question mark for the unit is at center. Originally, it seemed Joe Tippmann, a second-round draft choice by the Jets in 2023, was going to start at center as he did in 2024. His role is now in question, however, as Josh Myers, former Packer and Ohio State teammate of Justin Fields, is also fighting to become the starting center. Myers has stated it was “made clear” he had a chance to win the starting job by Glenn when he signed with the team.

After the victory on Saturday, many were wondering how good the Jets offensive line could be. Their ceiling is extremely high; if Membou plays at the level many expect, and if Olu stays hot like he did his rookie year, the offensive line could be top ten. However, the question mark at center could possibly drag down the rest of the unit.

The Jets’ offensive line will be strong this season, but they likely won’t hit their ceiling just yet, and will instead settle as an above-average offensive line.

Trade Breece Hall?

The Jets have a talented running back group. Breece Hall is the lead back, and he will spearhead a run-dominant offense that will look to win the line of scrimmage every play. With an uninspiring receiving group, outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets need a big year from Hall and the other running backs.

However, after training camp and Week 1 of the preseason, some have called for the Jets to trade Breece while he still has value, and let second-year back Braelon Allen take the helm. Allen is one of the youngest players in the league, and has a bruiser style of running that complements Hall’s elusiveness.

Why trade Hall? Some fans will point to his two carries against the Packers that went for minimal gains. Hall might have missed a hole that could’ve sprouted a huge gain, which garnered attention on social media. But those were his first two carries of the season, in a preseason game that doesn’t count for anything. Reactions based off that are a little dramatic.

The real reason for trading Hall is his contract. In today’s NFL, running backs aren’t extended as often as they used to be. Most times, teams with needs in other positions will draft a replacement for the running back whose contract is expiring, and move forward without them in the future. That situation could be playing out before our eyes with Hall and Allen.

Hall is a free agent in 2026, meanwhile, Braelon has another two years on his rookie deal. Keeping Braelon over Hall gives the Jets more cap space, and allows them to upgrade at other positions.

Should Hall be traded? Going into the season, he shouldn’t. The Jets sorely need playmakers on offense to help Wilson. Removing Hall would leave the offense lacking in talent.

The Jets aren’t Super Bowl contenders, however, and if they are in danger of missing the playoffs for another year at the trade deadline, it would be smart to send Breece to a team in need of a running back that is in playoff contention. That way, Breece wouldn’t leave in free agency for nothing, the Jets would get draft compensation, and they could move forward with Allen.

The Defense is “Back”?

In the middle years of Robert Saleh’s tenure with the team, the Jets had a very good defense. After acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson in the 2022 NFL draft, signing cornerback D.J. Reed in free agency, and bolstering the defensive line, the Jets defense went from one of the worst in 2021 to a great unit. They allowed the top-five least amount of yards in the league during the 2022 and 2023 season.

In 2024, the defense regressed. They still allowed the top-three least amount of yards, but they were ranked 20th in points allowed. Prior to 2024, the team traded John Franklin-Myers, and didn’t resign Bryce Huff (who was a weapon in Robert Saleh’s scheme). Additionally, Jermaine Johnson tore his Achilles in Week 2 against the Titans. Alongside the decline of talent in their defensive tackle rotation, hindsight shows regression was coming.

Going into 2025, the Jets have lost and upgraded on defense. Reed is no longer on the Jets, signing with Detroit. The Jets signed cornerback Brandon Stephens to replace him and drafted Azareye’h Thomas to possibly play beside Gardner in the future.

At safety, the Jets secured Andre Cisco, a needed upgrade to pair alongside Tony Adams. They also drafted Malachi Moore, who will start as a depth piece, but could potentially slot in as the starter during the course of the season.

The Jets starting defense allowed zero points against Green Bay’s starters in their only two drives of the preseason opener. On the first drive, Gardner was everywhere, making tackles against the run and breaking up a third down pass attempt, forcing a three and out. After a couple first downs, the next drive for the Packers ended in a sack, as Jordan Love stepped up to avoid pressure.

It is an extremely small sample size to decide if the Jets’ defense is returning to form. If there is one coach who could get the most out of this defense, it would be Glenn.

Glenn coached a stellar unit in Detroit, which was a key piece in the Lions’ recent emergence as contenders. The biggest factor regarding the Jets defense is playing complimentary football. If the Jets offense can put up points, something they’ve struggled to do for many years, they will finally assist the defense by doing their job. If they falter, the weight on the defense’s shoulders becomes heavier.