I am as shocked as you are that my first NFL write-up of the 2025 season is going to be pro-Jets. However, when their win total simply asks them to salvage one more victory than they had last season, I believe they can do it. With a favorable schedule in 2025, the Jets have a strong chance of reaching six or more wins.
New York ended the 2024 campaign at 5-12, winning only two of their six divisional matchups. With Aaron Rodgers gone, all eyes turn to the raw but talented Justin Fields. As a Bears fan who was never fully sold on the hype surrounding him, I still hope to see him succeed. Fields has elite athleticism, a cannon for an arm, but still struggles with confidence and has yet to develop into the star he was drafted to be.
In Fields We Trust
If new head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can mold him into the player he was meant to become, this Jets offense could be dangerous. If they can play in a similar style to the Washington Commanders of last season, they have more than enough potential to surpass this win total. Fields now has real receiving options and the backfield threat of Breece Hall to open up the offense.
The offensive line should be one of the best Fields has played behind. He will reunite with his former Ohio State center Josh Meyers, and will benefit from the return of former Penn State left tackle Olu Fasanu, whose season was cut short by injury. On the opposite side will be first-round pick Armand Membou from Missouri.
Last season, the Jets ranked tied for 24th in points per game, averaging under 20, while allowing 23.8 per game, good for 19th in the league. Defensively, they return eight starters. Under Glenn's leadership, this group should be more disciplined than it was under Robert Saleh. There is optimism that Sauce Gardner will take another step forward under the guidance of Glenn, a former Jets cornerback himself.
Favorable Jets Schedule
Their schedule has several opportunities to get to six wins. While the NFL is unforgiving, they open the season against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hot take: the Jets steal that one. Fields has a history of starting seasons well, owning a 2-1 record as a Week 1 starter.
Projected Wins: Panthers, Browns, Dolphins (home), Saints, Patriots
50/50 Games: Steelers, Falcons, Dolphins (away), Jaguars, Patriots (away)
Likely Losses: Bills (2x), Buccaneers, Cowboys, Broncos, Bengals, Ravens
This schedule has difficult stretches, but the combination of winnable games and toss-ups makes six wins a realistic floor. The juice is worth paying. Trust the Jets.
