Saleh Addresses Jets' Team Speed

Two fast playmakers currently on the mend while Hardman starts to cook

The New York Jets can fly even with a lot of speed on the sideline during Sunday's open training camp practice in Florham Park.

"I do feel like our team, it feels fast for sure and hopefully, it just gets faster," said head coach Robert Saleh.

The third-year head coach's hope will become reality once second-year burners Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall return to practice.

"We’re still missing Breece, who is a blazer. And we’re still missing, Garrett who hasn’t been out there for a little bit," noted Saleh on Sunday.

Wilson, the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is nursing the effects of a minor ankle inversion suffered on July 27, but is expected back this week. Hall, who is on PUP as he battles back from ACL surgery, may or may not be ready for the Week 1 opener against the Buffalo Bills. 

Wilson (4.38) and Hall (4.39) both ran sub 4.4-second 40-yard dashes at the 2022 NFL Combine.

Returning to form following a core muscle injury that plagued him throughout the 2022 campaign, free-agent addition Mecole Hardman has been active at practice thus far during camp. The two-time Super Bowl champion slot receiver and return specialist boasts 4.33-second "40" speed.

"Just slowly progressing back and regaining all that speed that we know that he has.," said Saleh about the fifth-year pro. "He wasn’t very active during OTAs, just working on his body and all that stuff, so he’s still playing catch up, but at the same time, you see flashes."

Hardman was certainly flashing on Sunday. He caught a number of quick passes from Aaron Rodgers, including one with massive yards-after-catch potential. Lined up to the outside, Hardman made a nice in-cut to beat the cornerback and pulled in an 8-yard throw with plenty of room to run.

"You see the type of player he is. Made a couple of plays today, but he’s trending in the right direction," said Saleh. "Not even close to where we know he’s going to be and excited about the progress he’s making."

Hardman said the next step for him is perfecting the deep routes with Rodgers.

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"We’ve got to get deep ball down a bit better, but in the quick and intermediate game, I think we’re pretty fine. The deep ball is coming," said the 2019 second-round draft pick after Sunday's practice session.

When it comes to the 2023 Jets, the offensive playmakers aren't the only ones with high-level speed.

"I feel the defense is moving very fast, but it comes with time and continuity and being in the same system over and over and over again and doing the same things over and over again," said Saleh. "I think what you’re seeing is precision and that can sometimes look like a lot of speed too, so it’s been good so far. Just a long way to go."

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