SI's AFC East Report Cards: Jets Ace Offseason Highlighted by Aaron Rodgers Trade

When it comes to meaningful moves this spring, Gang Green topped its division

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The New York Jets are at the top of their class. 

Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame drew up offseason report cards for all four AFC East teams and Gang Green earned the highest grade in its division. 

Scoring a list of achievements headlined by the acquisition of future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Verderame awarded Joe Douglas and Co. an "A" for their offseason activity. 

The Miami Dolphins earned an A- grade with the defending three-time division champion Buffalo Bills pulling in a B for their efforts. The New England Patriots finished fourth out of four teams with a C+ mark.

Following a 7-10 overall record in 2022, the Jets significantly upgraded their talent, on paper, at the most important position on the field. 

In addition to bringing in a four-time NFL MVP to take the snaps, Jets' brass upgraded the receiving corps by signing proven veterans Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in free agency. Both pass-catchers have postseason experience with the latter being a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Coupled with the NFL's fourth-ranked defense, the Rodgers-led offense should translate into an increased win total.

From "AFC East Report Cards: Jets Find Themselves in Rare Position":

New York Jets

Key additions: QB Aaron Rodgers, OLB Will McDonald IV, C Joe Tippmann, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Allen Lazard, WR Randall Cobb 

Key subtractions: WR Elijah Moore 

Where they stand: For the first time since Brett Favre arrived in 2008, the Jets have a future Hall of Famer at quarterback—and it’s none other than Favre’s replacement with the Packers, Rodgers.

Rodgers comes to the Jets as a year-by-year prospect, with both sides having plenty to prove. For New York, it’s about making the playoffs for the first time since 2010, and then making noise once there. For Rodgers, it’s trying to bounce back from a campaign that saw Green Bay go 8–9, while Rodgers threw for only 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns.

In Gotham, Rodgers is surrounded by better (and some familiar) talent at receiver, led by second-year man Garrett Wilson. Wilson starred as a rookie despite horrid quarterback play, catching 83 passes for 1,103 yards and four scores. He's flanked this year by Hardman, Lazard, Corey Davis and Cobb.

Defensively, the Jets are stacked. They have a bevy of difference-makers in the front seven, including linebackers McDonald, C.J. Mosley and Carl Lawson, along with lineman Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers. In the secondary, Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed form one of the league’s best duos at corners.

Simply put, the Jets are a contender for the first time in over a decade. 

Projected win total: 9.5 

Odds to win the AFC East: +250 

Final grade: A 

- Matthew Verderame

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The Jets, who were perceived to be "just a quarterback away" from serious contention, have flown up the list of Super Bowl LVIII favorites since the Rodgers trade rumors began percolating nearly three months ago. 

SI Sportsbook currently lists the Jets as a +1400 bet to raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy next February. Gang Green’s 14-to-1 odds to win it all have dropped from the +2500 to +3500 range since the market opened in February.

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Bill Belichick, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa ... 📝

The AFC East is one of the most stacked divisions in the league, writes @MattVerderame https://t.co/5oqU447PZJ

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 16, 2023