The New York Jets have made a lot of big moves this offseason, but we haven’t heard anything from the head coach yet.
That changed when Robert Saleh spoke up during an interview with Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting.
“I think (general manager) Joe (Douglas) has done a really good job adding some great pieces to the football team, but, yes, it's been quiet,” Saleh told Wyche on Sunday, March 24 about the Jets’ recent free agency moves. “Last year was a little noisy. We welcome a bit of quietness.”
So far, the team has spent over $64.4 million on free agency moves and trades, per Spotrac.
Saleh Is Pleased with the Foundation Being Built
The Jets had high hopes last year, but they were quickly dashed after Aaron Rodgers suffered a blown Achilles injury. However, Saleh emphasized the positive side at the league meetings.
“All the young guys that were forced to play a year ago are really excited about the direction they’re going,” Saleh told Wyche. “But at the same time, bringing in some veteran presence, leadership, and guys who know how to play the game — who have played the game at a very high level and who really have the capability of achieving and matching the standard which we’re trying to create.”
New York was able to create a completely new starting offensive line, and this is before considering the 2024 NFL draft.
Saleh described new addition Morgan Moses as “an old-fashioned person” who brings a strong work ethic to the team.
“[Moses] just shows up to work, works really hard, and is a guy who’s going to motivate others. Tyron Smith has played at a very high level for a very long time, and John Simpson at guard, I mean, he’s like the epitome of effort. The way he works and his story. He’s kept fighting to prove he belongs in this league. I’m excited about the mentality of the group,” Saleh told Wyche.
The conversation revolved around “attacking.” Whether that’s Rodgers’ determination for the next season or the Jets’ mindset to “try to achieve the things we were supposed to achieve a year ago.”
Jets Trying a New Approach This Offseason
It seems like flying under the radar was a message this management tried to impress upon their players at the start of this offseason.
Last year, there was a lot of attention. The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers. They were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Gang Green was the offseason favorite expected to make a big impact.
Saleh told Wyche that they are embracing the silence.
Earlier this offseason, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner said the team wanted to be “silent assassins.”
“We gotta be those underdogs, the guys that come out of nowhere, we ain’t going to be doing too much talking this year,” Gardner explained to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith.
That will be easier said than done. The Jets, for better or for worse, are always in the NFL news cycle. That will be especially true as long as Rodgers is the starting quarterback.
There is only so much flying under the radar you can do with Rodgers. However, there are plenty of skeptics out there who aren’t sold on the Jets after last season’s disappointments.
Stephen A. Smith expressed his doubts about whether the New York Jets have the necessary players to win the championship on ESPN's 'First Take.' He mentioned that he is not completely convinced.
Smith discussed concerns about the durability of some key players for the Jets, such as Rodgers and Tyron Smith. However, his main issue was with the Jets' offensive play caller, Nathaniel Hackett. Nathaniel Hackett.
It's a valid point considering the Jets had one of their worst offensive seasons ever. On the other hand, it's worth considering how much of that poor performance will be improved by Rodgers acting as a quasi-OC on the field.
