4 Jets moves in free agency that Patriots fans can laugh at 

Ignoring how their starting quarterback is so dedicated to his role that he considered becoming a full-time politician, which is in itself absolutely hilarious. There are legitimate reasons for Patriots fans to be optimistic heading into their two games against the Jets in 2024.  

Gang Green hasn’t made many moves in free agency. They have signed nine players in total, but three were Jets players in 2023. Unsurprisingly, with just six new faces, there aren’t any bad signings per se.

But it’s always easy to laugh at the Jets, especially when their quarterback is a total joke. 

4 Jets moves in free agency that Patriots fans can laugh at 

Losing Bryce Huff to the Eagles 

2023 was the first time Huff played in every game of the season in New York. Huff only played 42% of the Jets ’ defensive snaps in 2023.  But he still led the team in sacks. Huff recorded ten sacks, and the second-best Jet, Jermaine Johnson II, only had 7.5, even though he had started all 17 games!

How the Eagles use Huff will be interesting. The Jets' base defense is a 4-3, and Huff lined up at both defensive end and linebacker. But the Eagles' base defense is a 3-4. Huff could be used more as a situational pass rusher.

But $51.1 million is a lot of money to pay someone who won’t be an every-down player. Maybe we should laugh at the Eagles too? 

Tyrod Taylor though? 

At this stage, even the Jets must think Aaron Rodgers is a clown show. After the MetLife turf monster took down the then-39-year-old quarterback, he spent most of last season talking to Pat McAfee and upsetting other celebrities.  

Taylor will be 35 when the 2024 season begins, so it seems unlikely he’s a long-term solution to the Jets QB conundrum. And even if he was considerably younger, his 28-28-1 record as a starter doesn’t exactly strike fear into the rest of the division. He’s only won six starts in the last six seasons. But hey, at least he’s not Aaron Rodgers.  

Tyron Smith on a one-year deal 

Smith is probably a Hall of Famer, but he’s 33 years old. That is old in NFL terms, but there are currently eight older offensive tackles in the league. You could argue only three of them are still “elite.” And Smith’s injury history should be a worry for Jets fans.  

Even the Jets don’t think he can stay healthy, they only offered him a one-year deal. Smith hasn’t started an entire season since 2015! And his presumptive backup, Carter Warren, has only started five games in his short NFL career. As we learned from watching the Patriots' offensive line last season, having to chop and change makes for a staccato offense.  

Isaiah Oliver replacing Bryce Hall 

Defensive back Hall only played in nine games for the Jets last season, but he was good in a very good defense when he did play. Quarterbacks only had a 39.2 passer rating when they threw in his direction, and he only allowed 7.3 yards per target. He was mainly used on special teams in 2023; he played 53% of their snaps in the games he was involved in. 

Oliver spent last season in San Francisco after being a Falcon for five years. And he only started six games. 84% of the passes thrown in his direction were completed in 2023, and opposing quarterbacks had a 101.0 passer rating when they targeted Oliver in 2023! 

Oliver allowed only 5.4 yards per target and defended only 2 of the 50 passes thrown his way. He also played only 39% of the 49ers’ special teams snaps, so it remains to be seen how he adapts to what could be a new role in New York. 

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