The Jets have made some notable moves this offseason to catch up to the rest of the division. While New York finished ahead of the Patriots last season, they won just one more game and split with the Patriots during the season despite high expectations. Notable departures, such as Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and D.J. Reed, allowed new coach Aaron Glenn to bring in Justin Fields as the latest signal caller and retain younger players.
Stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner were recently re-signed, and top tackler Jamien Sherwood inked an extension. Glenn is also reunited with Josh Reynolds, who had a pair of solid seasons with the Lions. Olu Fashanu will start the season at left tackle, and seventh overall pick Armand Membou will have the opportunity to play on the right side.
There's no doubt the Jets are young and have a very different look from last year's squad, and it could even be argued this is a mini-rebuild. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean they won't push to compete.
A move that would show their desire to compete would be the addition of former Patriot Ja'Whaun Bentley. Connor Long of Jet X Factor suggests a move for the three-time captain could be one the Jets look to make to round out their linebacker corps.
Ja'Whaun Bentley would be a good fit in New York, but would only be a short term fix
It's hard to discredit Bentley's career in New England. An excellent run stopper, he registered just under 500 tackles and is a Super Bowl champion, playing in 83 regular-season games. He was released in March after a plethora of linebacker signings saw Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens come into the fold, as well as the retention of Christian Elliss on a two-year deal. He played just two games in 2024 after a pec tear against the Seahawks.
The Jets roster Sherwood above and the hard-hitting Quincy Williams, but after that, the group fails to excite. Jamin Davis is notable as a former first-round pick, but his career has been disappointing. The rest are an uninspiring array of late-round picks. Bentley is traditionally a Mike linebacker, the same role as Sherwood.
Given Sherwood's superior athleticism, the addition of Bentley could enable him to play a more free-roaming role, providing the Jets with more defensive flexibility.
The issue with signing Bentley is that he is pretty similar to the players the Jets already have. He might be bigger, but in terms of role, Sherwood and Williams are primarily run-stoppers, while Sherwood has more coverage skills than the others. Depending on the defense Glenn deploys, Bentley would be an option as either an experienced starter or a rotational piece - his role could vary greatly.
What would it mean for the Patriots to see Bentley back in the divsion?
Realistically, very little. It may be a bit emotional seeing a former captain playing for Foxborough's biggest rival, but aside from that, Bentley doesn't change the outcome of games. He's a reliable run stopper with experience and leadership qualities, all of which are valuable, but not the attributes of a make-or-break level player. He'd offer the Jets stability at the position, certainly, but wouldn't have much else to offer.
Similar to the rumors that Matt Judon could be a fit for the Jets, the biggest blow would be an emotional one. He'll turn 29 before the season, and linebackers tend to age quickly, especially those coming off an injury. I'm sure Aaron Glenn would like to fortify the front seven with a sure tackler, and Bentley would fit that for a year or two.