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In 2023, the Jets were the trend of the month. In 2024, they feel like the same old team forcing their fans to run for the rum raisin, hold the raisin.
Coach Robert Saleh likes it that way.
“Last year was a little noisy,” Saleh told NFL Media’s Steve Wyche. “We appreciate a little peace of mind..”
High is an understatement. The Jets were forced to do hard hits. Everyone thought they would be great with Aaron Rodgers on the team. The schedule suggested it wouldn’t be easy. Losing Rodgers after just four plays made him an impossibility and a widely perceived failure.
This year could be what last year was supposed to be. But this year will likely mean lower expectations and possibly fewer independent, high-profile, nationally televised games.
“Aaron, he’s on a mission,” Saleh said. “He is doing his rehabilitation. He’s in California, I think. He’s obviously taking some time for himself. He was ready to go last year, man. So I know he’s getting ready. We talk to him often. I don’t want to speak for him, but I’m going to speak for him and say that he is very excited to attack this season.”
Of course, just over a week ago, the Jets didn’t know what Rodgers was really excited about, as he was potentially going to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate. That disappeared almost as quickly as it came up, and now the Jets can focus on the task at hand.
“I’m excited to attack this season and try to accomplish the things we were supposed to accomplish a year ago,” Saleh said.
It still won’t be easy. The schedule is not that overwhelming. They face the three teams in their own division twice, the four teams in the NFC West, the four teams in the AFC South, the Steelers, Broncos and Vikings.
But they will rely on plenty of aging players in key positions to get healthy and healthy through a 17-game regular season and, if they qualify, the postseason.
If they don’t have quality, that will be what happens to most of the players, coaches and executives currently on owner Woody Johnson’s payroll.