The New York Jets have not had a winning record since 2015 when Todd Bowles replaced Rex Ryan and guided the plane to a 10-6 record. The engines then cut out and ceased to operate for the next three seasons, resulting in Bowles being jettisoned from the cabin. Adam Gase then donned the headset and the controls, but he only lasted two seasons. Robert Saleh was brought in to bring a defensive identity after the Gase debacle — same result.
The reset button was pressed in the offseason and now Aaron Glenn is the head man. Tanner Engstrand takes over at offensive coordinator and Steve Wilks will orchestrate the defense.
Jets target share overview
Last season, the Jets were fourth in passing rate at 64.06% with Aaron Rodgers under center. Rodgers is now in Pittsburgh while Justin Fields will now lead the squad.
It’s safe to say that the passing rate will plummet for the Jets this season.
Fields has started 44 games over the last four seasons — one campaign with Pittsburgh and three with Chicago. The passing rates for those teams while Fields was there ranked 28th, 31st, 32nd and 24th. Some of that was due to scheme and philosophy. Fields’ inability as a passer played a role in that as well, as did the amazing rushing prowess he possesses.
In four NFL seasons, Fields has rushed 418 times for 2,509 yards, 19 touchdowns and 149 first downs.
Aaron Glenn began his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. After two years, he coached the defensive backs in New Orleans for five seasons. Over the last four seasons, Glenn was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
Ball control and playing to his defense will be the likely modus operandi for Glenn. Plus, the defense is a talented unit which ranked in the top four in yards allowed over the last three seasons.
Newly anointed defensive coordinator Steve Wilks began his coaching career in 1995 and his NFL journey started in 2005. He’s been the defensive coordinator in Cleveland and San Francisco while having one head coaching tenure under his belt in Arizona.
Now, let’s take a look at how the targets should be distributed in New York this season.
Wide receivers
Garrett Wilson led the team with 153 targets last season. The target share was 26.06%. It’s been well documented that Wilson and Fields played college ball together at Ohio State, where the duo combined for 66 receptions, 934 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Wilson will likely dominate the targets for the Jets this season, but the entire pie will be smaller.
Davante Adams was second with 114 targets last season, but he’s now with the Los Angeles Rams.
Allen Lazard finished with 61 targets, but he’s currently dealing with a shoulder injury and his primary utility is as a blocker rather than high-caliber receiving threat. The target rate was 14.1% last season but will likely be sub-10% this season.
Josh Reynolds is currently slated to start alongside Wilson. Reynolds is 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, runs a 4.52 40-yard dash and was the fourth round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft. Reynolds has been a journeyman, playing for five different teams and three in the last two seasons. He played in nine total games last season, starting two and garnering 24 targets. Reynolds has never seen a target share over 14%, with three seasons below 10%.
Tyler Johnson will likely be the third receiver. He’s 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, runs a 4.7 40-yard dash and was a fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s played 49 NFL games but started only eight, racking up 76 receptions on 116 targets for 828 yards and four touchdowns. He’s had a target share over 10% only once in his career.
Tight ends
Tyler Conklin led this group with 72 targets and a 12.8% target share, but is now with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mason Taylor was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Reports out of training camp have been positive and Taylor currently sits atop the depth chart. It often takes time for rookie tight ends to make an impact, but Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta have both spoiled us and created elevated expectations for the position’s young talents. While that level of impact is unlikely, recent examples of rookie tight ends flourishing keep Taylor in the conversation, especially since Fields has displayed a propensity of throwing to tight ends.
In Pittsburgh, Pat Freiermuth had a 17% target share. In Chicago, Cole Kmet had a 19.3%, 14.2% and 17.7% target share with Fields primarily at quarterback.
Running backs
Breece Hall led the group with 76 targets and a 13.8% target share. Braelon Allen had 27 targets and a 4.6% target share while Isaiah Davis finished with 12 targets and a 2% target share.
The same triumvirant is back for New York, but Glenn has been saying all offseason that he’s going to employ a three-headed monster.
Most dual-threat quarterbacks don’t check down or throw to running backs as often, but Fields is not like most dual-threat quarterbacks. Last season in Pittsburgh, Najee Harris had a 10.4% target share while Jaylen Warren was at 11.9%. In 2023 with Chicago, Roschon Johnson had a 9.5% target share while Khalil Herbert was at 9.5%. In 2022 with Chicago, David Montgomery had an 11.8% target share. In 2021 with Chicago and Fields still under center for part of the season, Montgomery saw a 12.1% target share.
According to Adam Pfeifer of FTN Fantasy, Fields does love to throw the checkdown. Whoever emerges as the primary passing back should benefit.
