During the Aaron Rodgers era, the New York Jets didn’t just have playoff aspirations. They had legitimate dreams of turning into a viable Super Bowl contender in the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
An Achilles tear to Rodgers in the former season and an underwhelming return in the latter saw nothing of the sort. A combined 12-22 record later, and the Jets are still searching for direction and identity as a franchise.
The addition of Justin Fields and some serious changes to the coaching staff are expected to establish a new culture. Will that lead to wins in Aaron Glenn’s first try at being a head coach? One member of the Jets secondary is more than optimistic.
Qwan’tez Stiggers Predicts Justin Fields Will Deliver for Jets
Speaking to the media following a training camp practice, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers didn’t hold back when revealing his first impression of Fields. The veteran defensive stopper praised his new teammate’s athleticism made a downright massive prediction for his Jets career.
Stiggers believes Fields is taking New York back to the postseason.
“That he’s very athletic,” Stiggers said. “He’s very fast. And he’s going to take us to the playoffs.”
It’s safe to say this one would be a shocker. For starters, the Jets’ 2025-26 win total is currently set at 5.5 games. Going over that mark is highly possible, if not anticipated by many. With less turmoil and drama throughout the year, that alone should foster some stability. Not only that, but there’s plenty of room for improvement from a development standpoint.
Still, though, jumping all the way from 5-12 last year to a playoff berth this year seems very difficult. Within the division, the Buffalo Bills figure to run away with the AFC East crown for another season. Elsewhere in the AFC, rosters are stacked and even the seventh available spot for the big dance may require double-digit victories. Does New York have what it takes to unseat a wild card contender?
If so, it’d be the first Jets playoff trip since the 2010-11 season. That marked the second year in a row of an AFC championship game loss. Since then, New York has experienced by far the longest postseason drought in the sport. It’s safe to say Stiggers’ prediction would be a dream come true for fans.
New York Faces Tall Task to End Playoff Drought
With all of that said, it’s so much easier said than done. Fields himself hasn’t always been effective during training camp practices. Although Glenn is pleased with where he’s at, there’s a long way to go before being a playoff-caliber field general. The same can be said for running back Breece Hall, who is eyeing the first 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career. New York’s plans for him involve more of a receiving role, which could swing his overall impact.
There simply may not be enough present on offense to get the job done at the highest level, though. Garrett Wilson is a tremendous young receiver, yet he doesn’t have a true complement. Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are more third or fourth wideouts than real No. 2 pieces. Tight end Mason Taylor (who’s currently nursing a high-ankle sprain) is promising, but the adjustment to the NFL is real for first-year players at that position.
It’s far more likely that the Jets’ defense does the heavy lifting. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is as hungry as ever for a high-profile year, especially after getting a huge contract extension. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is also eyeing a rebound season. How he responds to a calf injury could make or break the early-year returns on that goal. After ranking fourth in scoring last season, New York’s defense fell to 12th in 2023 and 20th in 2024.
A lot must break right to fully restore the Jets’ image and for Stiggers’ prophecy to be fulfilled. It isn’t impossible, but it sure is a lofty prediction set by the defensive back.
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