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Insider Hints at Pass Rush Addition Making Sense for Jets

As the month of July rolls on, NFL teams are beginning to ramp up on the training camp front. That’s especially important for teams with new head coaches, such as the New York Jets. This is an opportunity for front offices and coaching staffs alike to evaluate where their rosters are at entering the season.

It’s undoubtedly a rebuild year for the Jets, although the expectation remains to be competitive. One position group might benefit from an addition to help make that goal a reality in 2025-26.

In his Jets training camp preview, Rich Cimini of ESPN addressed the defensive line. Focusing on the edge rusher rotation, Cimini believes it may be smart to kick the tires on a veteran to help insulate the depth chart.


Jets Adding to Defensive Line ‘Might Make Sense’ for Season

It’s been a busy month for New York already, as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner have been signed to contract extensions. Wilson’s deal sees him become one of the league’s highest-paid pass catchers. Gardner’s, on the other hand, leads all cornerbacks in the sport. Both deals will keep the players in town through 2030.

With two specific players in mind, Cimini makes a soft case for more activity. He’s focused on a potential complement for Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson at defensive end.

“The Jets are showing their aggressive side, signing Wilson and Gardner last week to mega contract extensions, so it will be interesting to see if they continue that approach into the preseason,” Cimini wrote. “There are a handful of high-profile free agents still available, especially at positions of need. One of those positions is edge rusher, with Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith still on the market. The Jets have been averse to adding players in the over-30 age group, but it might make sense to add a seasoned vet on a team-friendly deal. They’re thin on the defensive line.”

Clowney, 32, is coming off a 5.5-sack season with the Carolina Panthers. The former No. 1 overall pick has played for six different teams in his 11-year career. With the possibility of another one being added for year No. 12, he’d inject some quality pass-rushing chops into the Jets’ defensive front.

Smith has also bounced around, playing for four teams in as many seasons. He posted a healthy 76.5 Pro Football Focus pass rush grade in 2024. He’s also 32 years old, but he’ll turn 33 in September. Smith had 9 sacks last year and played in all 17 regular-season games, splitting action between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.


Assessing New York’s Edge Rusher Depth in 2025

As Paul Esden Jr. of Heavy put it in his training camp position preview, the Jets “have one ‘proven’ guy beyond McDonald and Johnson.” Even that duo contains a question mark, as Johnson is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. He’s beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Even if Johnson is ready for Week 1, having another non-McDonald veteran capable of eating up snaps would help. Micheal Clemons is a nice start.

Elsewhere, it’s a whole lot of unknown. Multiple players from the group of Tyler Baron, Rashad Weaver, Braiden McGregor, Ja’Markis Weston, Eric Watts, Kingsley Jonathan and Michael Fletcher will make the team. There’s reason to believe that total, without an external addition, could be three. Out of that list, Baron should make it through and Weaver is an intriguing depth option. Someone like Weston or McGregor seems destined to battle for roster positioning.

Of course, five true defensive ends instead of six is always on the table. There’s a lot to sort out between now and Week 1 of the regular season. Scheme fit, attrition, coach perspectives, finances and more must all be considered.

Upon further review, Cimini might be onto something.

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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Insider Hints at Pass Rush Addition Making Sense for Jets appeared first on Heavy Sports.

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