Preseason Week 1 Preview: Jets at Packers
The New York Jets play an actual football game tonight. Under the lights of Lambeau Field, the Aaron Glenn era officially begins with a preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers. And if you’ve been paying attention to camp, you know this isn’t going to be your typical, vanilla exhibition game.
The Country Club is officially boarded up and Glenn is going to play starters in the preseason and it is a welcome sight. This isn't about coddling a veteran quarterback or being afraid to get hit anymore. The word from Florham Park has been clear: live tackling in practice, an emphasis on accountability, and a palpable energy that has been missing for years. This is not unusual for a new regime, but it is promising that this team will feel different top to bottom this year.
So, while some coaches around the league will be holding their best players out and treating this like a glorified walkthrough, Glenn is throwing his guys into the fire. With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator in Tanner Engstrand, and a new quarterback in Justin Fields, every snap of game action is a precious commodity. We need to see this offense in real-time, against a real defense, with a real clock ticking. How will the new-look offensive line hold up? Can Fields show the decisive, accurate throws we have not seen often in camp? This isn't just about a win or a loss; it's about seeing the new foundation take shape.
Beyond the obvious storyline of Fields, there are a host of other players to keep your eyes on tonight. The Jets have a ton of young prospects, and this is their chance to make a statement.
The Offensive Line
Ola Fashanu and Armand Membou have been getting rave reviews in camp, and this line, which has been a complete liability for too long, finally feels like a legitimate strength. Tonight, we get our first look at what could be the best Jets line in over a decade.
The Running Back Room
Breece Hall is an undeniable weapon, but with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis breathing down his neck, this backfield is a fascinating watch. Allen’s bruising style and Davis’s all-around game will be on full display. Expect this trio to get a lot of work, and I am most excited to see how Davis will look with a full workload.
The Wide Receiver Battle
With Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds locked in at WR1 and WR2, the competition for the other receiving spots is wide open. Keep an eye on rookies Arian Smith and Quentin Skinner. Smith has been a speed demon in practice and has been putting in extra work on the JUGS machine, and Skinner’s 6'5" frame gives him exciting red-zone potential. This is their chance to show they belong on the 53-man roster.
The Defensive Line
Yes, we've expressed our concerns about the run defense, but this is also a chance for some young guys to shine. With Jermaine Johnson and Quinnen Williams sidelined, players like Leonard Taylor and some of the undrafted rookies will get plenty of snaps. Can they show some serious juice and prove that GM Darren Mougey does not need to bring in a veteran?
Tonight is a new beginning. A new coach, a new quarterback, and a new sense of purpose. This team has a lot to prove, and tonight is the first step on what we all hope is a long journey. The preseason score doesn't matter, but the intensity, the execution, and the sense of a new standard being set, absolutely does. Let’s play some football.
