Rich CiminiAug 23, 2025, 09:06 AM ET
- Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.
Update: Coach Aaron Glenn said Tyrod Taylor would be ready for Week 1.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets open the 2025 NFL regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 7 at MetLife Stadium.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is gone, and the new Aaron in charge is first-year coach Aaron Glenn. Fittingly, the Jets face Rodgers in Week 1. They will do so with one of the NFL’s youngest rosters, one with a glaring need at wide receiver and depth concerns on both sides of the ball. Seventh in the waiver order, the new front office will likely be active on the final cut. General manager Darren Mougey, already active in the trade market, will continue to explore potential deals.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Jets:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor.
There was some doubt about Taylor’s availability for Week 1, but Glenn said late Friday night that he’s “confident” his backup will be ready. Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery in early August. Adrian Martinez and/or Brady Cook will stick on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
Davis (ankle) could begin the season on short-term injured reserve. Each team is allowed two such designations on the final cut. In that case, rookie free agent Donovan Edwards could be on the season-opening roster. Nwangwu sticks because of his kick return ability. When everyone is healthy, this is the Jets’ deepest position.
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WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Brandon Smith, Allen Lazard
Reynolds, Johnson and Lazard are replacement-level players and none of them plays special teams — hardly ideal for roster construction. Lazard, recovering from a shoulder injury, is interesting. He didn’t have a great camp, but he has support within the organization. Jamaal Pritchett and Malachi Corley are the odd men out. Corley (2024 third-round pick) hasn’t progressed. Pritchett pushed Gipson as the backup slot and punt returner, but a muffed punt Friday night hurt his chances.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Andrew Beck, Stone Smartt
Taylor is the present and future of the position. The second-round pick is a better blocker than they anticipated. Ruckert worked with the starters for the summer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they sought a trade partner. Ruckert was underwhelming this summer, and his roster spot isn’t secure. Beck’s versatility (he can play fullback, too) creates roster flexibility.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Josh Myers/Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman
Who’s at center, Tippmann or Myers? Fascinating decision. Tippmann moves better than Myers and can get to the second level, but Myers has the edge in experience. That he played with Fields in college doesn’t hurt. Some scouts believe Tippmann is better at guard. Membou, drafted seventh overall, experienced growing pains in camp but will start at right tackle. Tackle Carter Warren (2023, fourth round) looks like he’s out of time.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald IV, Jermaine Johnson, Harrison Phillips, Micheal Clemons, Jay Tufele, Jowon Briggs, Eric Watts, Leonard Taylor III.
The trades for Phillips and Briggs this week should help the interior, with Phillips likely to start alongside Williams. Byron Cowart (ankle) could be headed to IR. They’re very thin on the edge, especially with Johnson coming back from Achilles surgery. Don’t be surprised if Mougey makes another trade. Rookie Tyler Baron (fifth round) and veteran Derrick Nnadi are on shaky ground.
LINEBACKERS (5): Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jamin Davis, Francisco Mauigoa
Sherwood and Williams are locked in. After them, it’s tricky. Davis, a former Commanders first-round pick, appears to have the edge for the third starting spot. The depth isn’t great. Sherwood and Williams need to stay healthy.
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CORNERBACKS (6): Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, Azareye’h Thomas, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
They’re top-heavy with Gardner, Stephens and Carter as their three regulars. Beyond them, there’s a lot of green. Stiggers and Bernard-Converse have combined for only 59 defensive snaps, and Thomas is a rookie third-rounder.
SAFETIES (4): Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore, Isaiah Oliver
The Jets hope Cisco, eight interceptions in his last three years with the Jaguars, can be the ball-hawking safety they’ve lacked. Adams could get pushed by Moore (fourth round), who can play the slot, too. Rookie free agent Dean Clark played his way into the conversation.
SPECIALISTS (3): Nick Folk (PK), Austin McNamara (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS).
Folk made 50 of 52 field goal attempts the past two seasons, but can the 40-year-old hold up for an entire year? McNamara was fantastic in the preseason, but can he do it when the lights come on? He has no regular-season experience. Hennessy, the team’s longest-tenured player, is their Steady Eddie.