The New York Jets still have six games to go this season, but the calendar might as well have already turned to 2025. That’s what happens when a team fires its head coach and general manager before Thanksgiving.
There is still much to be learned over these last six games, but the question now is more about who will be back in 2025. Much of that is centered around a certain quarterback, but really, it extends throughout the roster, especially as the Jets prepare to bring in an entirely new regime.
So let’s play a little game of “Stay or Go” with the Jets’ key players. At the bottom of the story, there’s a poll so readers can vote, player by player, who should return in ’25.
QB Aaron Rodgers: Go
Rodgers has six weeks to show he still has something left in the tank — which, if he wants to return, is a must in order to convince owner Woody Johnson (and a new GM and head coach). With so much unknown, it still feels more likely that Rodgers retires or plays elsewhere in 2025.
QB Tyrod Taylor: Stay
His salary for 2025 is guaranteed and Taylor can be perfectly serviceable as a bridge quarterback to whichever rookie the Jets add in the draft.
QB Jordan Travis: Stay
At this point, Travis is more of a lottery ticket than someone to bank on. Due to a gruesome leg injury he suffered in college, he hasn’t practiced since being drafted in the fifth round last spring.
RB Breece Hall: Stay
He hasn’t had the star-making season many expected, but he’s still a cornerstone of the offense. Hall is currently on pace to finish with 1,596 total yards — around the same as his 2023 total (1,585).
RB Braelon Allen: Stay
He showed some flashes early in the season before fading, but still has a bright future.
RB Isaiah Davis: Stay
He’s operated more as a returner than running back so far, but he’ll be back.
WR Garrett Wilson: Stay
And the Jets should pay him ASAP. But does Wilson want to be a Jet long-term? It would be hard to blame him if he wanted out based on all the turmoil he’s dealt with at offensive coordinator and quarterback.
WR Davante Adams: Go
He’s actually been solid even though he and Rodgers don’t appear to have rediscovered their old chemistry. The Jets should explore bringing him back if he’s willing to listen, but it’s more likely that if Rodgers is gone, so is Adams. The remaining two years on Adams’ contract are guaranteed.
WR Allen Lazard: Go
He was having a nice bounce-back season, though the Jets saw in 2023 how Lazard looks when Rodgers isn’t the one throwing him passes. They might need to cut him for the cap savings ($6.6 million).
WR Malachi Corley: Stay
The Jets haven’t been able to figure out how to use their much-hyped third-round rookie (three receptions, 16 yards), but he’s not going anywhere.
WR Xavier Gipson: Stay
He hasn’t had a great season as a returner and doesn’t make much of an impact on offense, so he’ll be fighting for a roster spot in 2025.
WR Irv Charles: Stay
He’s the Jets’ best gunner on special teams and should return.
TE Tyler Conklin: Go
Conklin will be a free agent. He’s been a great leader for the Jets but, like Wilson, has had to deal with a lot of inconsistent quarterback play and might be better served going elsewhere.
TE Jeremy Ruckert: Stay
He’s been a disappointment. The 2022 third-round pick was supposed to be ready for a bigger role this year but he’s regressed as a blocker and hasn’t made an impact as a pass-catcher. He’ll fight for a roster spot next summer.
OT Tyron Smith: Go
The Smith signing was a good idea in theory — and relatively low-risk considering how much of his salary is based on incentives — but ultimately it didn’t work out. Smith allowed the most sacks of any Jets offensive lineman before suffering a neck injury; it will be surprising if he plays again in a Jets uniform.
OT Morgan Moses: Stay
Moses has been solid for the Jets — only one sack and nine pressures allowed in 329 pass-blocking snaps — and has been an important locker-room leader. The Jets should try to re-sign him at the right price.
OT Olu Fashanu: Stay
He’s shown flashes and should be a cornerstone of the Jets’ offense.
G John Simpson: Stay
He’ll go down as one of Joe Douglas’s better free-agent signings. Simpson has played at a Pro Bowl level and PFF has him graded as this season’s fifth-best guard.
G Alijah Vera-Tucker: Stay
He’s had trouble staying healthy but he’s still a solid player and is under contract for one more year.
C Joe Tippmann: Stay
He’s mostly been solid, if inconsistent, but the Jets can bank on returning at least four or five young offensive linemen in what should be a strength heading into 2025.
DE Haason Reddick: Go
The Reddick trade could not have gone much worse. His holdout stretched into midseason and Reddick has failed to make an impact since joining the team (a half-sack won’t get you the big bucks).
DE Will McDonald: Stay
He got off to a fast start — eight sacks in the first seven games — but hasn’t recorded a single sack since Reddick joined the team. McDonald will likely start for the Jets in 2025.
DE Jermaine Johnson: Stay
Losing Johnson might have been a bigger deal than anyone realized when it happened in Week 2. The Jets miss his versatility as a pass rusher and run stopper.
DE Micheal Clemons: Go
An example of one of the Jets’ biggest issues: an unwillingness to bench players the coaches like despite poor play. The stats look O.K. on paper (4.5 sacks) but that’s not an accurate reflection on how much of a liability Clemons has been.
DT Quinnen Williams: Stay
Williams is having a nice season (six sacks, 16 QB hits) while the defensive line around him has mostly been inconsistent. He’s under contract through 2027.
DT Javon Kinlaw: Go
One of Douglas’s biggest missteps: Overpaying Kinlaw in free agency rather than keeping John Franklin-Myers. Kinlaw has been a non-factor and the Jets should be looking to revamp their defensive tackle group around Williams.
DT Solomon Thomas: Go
He’s been a solid leader and fine as a backup but probably is playing too much this season.
DT Leonard Taylor III: Stay
The undrafted rookie has shown promise and is someone worth developing.
LB Quincy Williams: Stay
He’s taken a step back after a breakout 2023 season, but he’s still a talent and can be a game-changing player at times.
LB C.J. Mosley: Go
Mosley’s season has been spoiled by injuries and, even when healthy, he’s clearly not the same player he once was. He’s a good leader to have around but he also could retire — or the Jets could cut him with a post-June 1 designation, saving $4 million.
LB Jamien Sherwood: Stay
Sherwood has been a pleasant surprise when taking over for Mosley; the Jets should try to re-sign him this offseason.
CB Sauce Gardner: Stay
This will be a complicated discussion in the offseason. Gardner at his best might be the NFL’s top cornerback. But he has, undoubtedly, not been at his best this season, and hasn’t handled the criticism coming his way particularly well. He hasn’t been terrible, but Gardner is just not playing up to his ridiculously high standard. Will a new GM want to trade him for a treasure trove of assets? It can’t be ruled out — though, personally, I would keep him.
CB D.J. Reed: Go
The best free-agent signing of the Douglas era was stellar for all three years of his contract — and he’ll be looking to get paid this offseason. That next contract likely won’t come from the Jets.
CB Michael Carter II: Stay
He’s been banged up this season but is still a solid nickel corner locked in for a couple more seasons.
CB Brandin Echols: Go
Remarkably, he’s the only Jets player to record any interceptions in 2024. He’ll get an opportunity elsewhere.
CB Qwan’Tez Stiggers: Stay
He was impressive in training camp but hasn’t really played on defense this season. A player worth developing.
S Chuck Clark: Go
The veteran missed a chunk of time with injuries. He’s fine when healthy but the Jets seem likely to revamp their safety room.
S Tony Adams: Go
He’s a young player who has been solid at times but is inconsistent, especially as a tackler. It doesn’t help that Woody Johnson pushed Jeff Ulbrich to bench Adams before the bye.
S Ashtyn Davis: Go
He took a step back after a nice 2023 season. He is beloved by this coaching staff, but there will be a new staff in place for 2025.
S Isaiah Oliver: Stay
At the right price it’s worth bringing Oliver back for his corner/safety versatility.
K Greg Zuerlein: Go
Zuerlein had a season from hell and the Jets held on to him just long enough to, arguably, cost them a couple games. He’s on injured reserve and has seemingly kicked his last field goal for this team.
K Anders Carlson: Stay
So far, so good — he’s made all three of his field goal attempts, including one from 58 yards.
P Thomas Morstead: Stay
He’s a team leader under contract for next year — though the Jets could save $2.55 million by cutting him.
(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
