Three important decisions the Jets must make before regular season

The New York Jets had Super Bowl aspirations entering 2023, but their hopes were dashed when quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into the season opener. Although Rodgers is fully healthy and now surrounded by an improved supporting cast, New York still has some work to do before the season begins. 

With that in mind, here are three moves the Jets must make before the start of the regular season.

What should a Haason Reddick extension look like? 

The biggest storyline of Jets training camp has undoubtedly been Reddick's holdout. New York acquired Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason, but the two-time Pro Bowler has skipped OTAs, mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp while he seeks a contract extension.

Last week, SNY's Connor Hughes reported that Reddick, who is entering the final season of his current deal, had been eyeing an extension that would pay him "between $25 million and $28 million annually." Hughes added that the Jets were willing to make Reddick one of the highest-paid edge-rushers in the league, ut "there was an understanding" that Reddick had to perform in the regular season to secure the deal.

It's unclear whether Reddick will report to training camp soon, but there's "hope" he will be there in the near future, per NFL insider Josina Anderson.

Reddick surely deserves a pay raise after notching the fourth-most sacks in the NFL over the last two seasons (27). While it remains to be seen if the Jets will still wait until the regular season before extending Reddick, the team should at least consider adjusting his current salary to get him in the building. After all, New York needs him on the field if it intends to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, especially since it lost key contributors Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers this offseason. 

How much stock should be put into wide receiver Allen Lazard’s training-camp performance? 

Lazard, who joined the Jets on a four-year, $44M deal last offseason, endured a disastrous first season with the team. Not only did the 28-year-old catch just 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games, but he was also designated as a healthy scratch for two contests due to his poor performance. Additionally, Lazard's 17.9% drop rate was the highest among wide receivers who earned at least 40 targets last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Lazard's potential, the Jets revamped their receiving corps this offseason, notably adding veteran Mike Williams and third-round rookie Malachi Corley. However, with Williams, New York's presumed No. 2 wideout, beginning training camp on the PUP list, Lazard has received an extensive opportunity to redeem himself and has taken advantage of it.

The strong rapport Lazard and Rodgers built during their Green Bay Packers days "has been on display" through the first several practices for the Jets, per Andrew Crane of the New York Post. Having a full season with Rodgers could be what Lazard needs to get back on track. Nonetheless, New York will still have to assess whether Lazard can be trusted as a serviceable No. 3 receiver or if it should limit his workload and have him split time with Corley. 

Who will be the kick returner? 

One of the position battles in Jets camp that remains wide open is at kick returner. Corley, along with fellow rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, as well as wideout Xavier Gipson and running back Tarik Cohen, have all seen reps as kick returners in training camp.

With the NFL's new kickoff rules, teams can have two returners, so the Jets can get creative as to who they choose to return kicks. Although Gipson is sidelined with a leg injury, he showed enough flashes as a rookie last season (511 yards on kick returns) to warrant being one of New York's starting returners. Considering Corley and Allen could have substantial roles on offense this season, Cohen could be best suited to be the Jets' other return man.

Cohen, 28, hasn't appeared in a game since 2020 after breaking his leg and tearing multiple knee ligaments that year and later rupturing his Achilles in 2022. Even so, the former first-team All-Pro punt returner has looked explosive in training camp and recently told reporters he feels "all the way back." If Cohen continues to shine while Gipson is out, perhaps New York should make him its primary return specialist.