Gang Green will begin its 2024 season on the road in back-to-back weeks. Then, in Week 3, the Jets will come home to play their home opener on Thursday Night Football.

Expectations should again be at an all-time high for the Jets with Aaron Rodgers returning from a season-ending injury. Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the 2023 season opener against the Bills last September. Without Rodgers, the Jets finished 7-10 for the second consecutive year.

If the Jets are going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, they will have to navigate a demanding schedule. In their final five games of the 2024 season, the Jets will face all teams who finished over .500 last season. Four of those games will be against teams who made the playoffs.

Now it’s time for The Daily News to make early predictions on the Jets’ schedule:

WEEK 1: at San Francisco 49ers

Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m., ESPN (Monday Night Football)

Prediction: 49ers 27, Jets 20

Like last year, the Jets will begin their season on Monday Night Football. Although the Jets defeated the Bills in the opener last year, they lost Rodgers for the year.

Robert Saleh will face Kyle Shanahan for the first time since becoming Jets coach. The 49ers are coming off a 12-5 season and a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

Record: 0-1

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans

Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.

The Jets hit the road again in Week 2 and face a new-look Titans team. Will Levis return as Tennessee’s quarterback. However, the Titans have a new coach in Brian Callahan and have added wide receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Tony Pollard.

Prediction: Jets 27, Titans 17

Record: 1-1

Week 3: vs. New England Patriots

Sunday, Sept. 17, 8:15 p.m., Amazon (Thursday Night Football)

The Jets finally ended their 15-game losing streak to the Patriots during the 2023 season finale last January. Now, they hope to begin a winning streak with Patriots coach Jerod Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye, who was selected third overall in April’s draft.

Prediction: Jets 24, Patriots 14

Record: 2-1

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos 

Sunday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m.

Nathaniel Hackett vs. Sean Payton, Part 2, will take place at the end of September at MetLife Stadium. During training camp last year, USA Today published an article in which Payton ripped Hackett and took a jab at how much attention the Jets received.

Gang Green also traded Zach Wilson to the Broncos last month, which should add more fuel to the fire between the two teams. This will be the fifth year the Jets and Broncos have played each other.

Prediction: Jets 31, Broncos 13

Record: 3-1

Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings 

Sunday, Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)

London calls the Jets for the first time since the 2021 season when they lost to the Falcons 27-20.

Gang Green could potentially face its old quarterback, Sam Darnold after he signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings during the offseason. The Jets selected Darnold third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Prediction: Jets 23, Vikings 16

Record: 4-1

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Monday, Oct. 14, 8:15 p.m. ESPN (Monday Night Football)

The last time the Jets and Bills met on the field, Buffalo won in a 32-6 route in Orchard Park last November. Afterward, Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons got into a postgame altercation in the tunnel.

Dawkins has continued to say how much he hates the Jets this offseason. He even called Clemons a “b—- boy” and accused him of instigating their postgame scrum. The Bills and Jets have split their season series the last two seasons.

Prediction: Bills 24, Jets 16

Record: 4-2

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, Oct. 20, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)

Mike Tomlin is still roaming the sidelines for the Steelers. But Pittsburgh will have a new quarterback in the huddle in 2024.

The Steelers signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. That should make for an exciting quarterback competition in training camp.

Pittsburgh finished 10-7 and made the playoffs before losing to the Bills in the AFC Wild-Card Game.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Jets 21

Record: 4-3

Week 8: at New England Patriots

Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. 

The Jets haven’t swept the Patriots since the 2000 season. But 2024 could finally be the year, assuming Gang Green takes care of business against a New England team in rebuild mode.

Prediction: Jets 34, Patriots 20

Record: 5-3

Week 9: vs. Houston Texans

Thursday, Oct. 31, 8:15 p.m., (Thursday Night Football)

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had his worst outing of the season in the 30-6 loss to the Jets last December. He passed for 91 yards, was sacked four times, and left the game with a concussion.

Houston eventually bounced back, finishing 10-7 and winning the AFC South before losing to Baltimore 34-10 in the divisional round.

Prediction: Texans 28, Jets 23

Record: 5-4

Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, Nov. 10, 4:25 p.m.

In Jonathan Gannon’s first season as coach, the Cardinals finished 4-13. Arizona will get Kyler Murray back at the start of the season after he returned from an ACL injury last year after he suffered the injury during the 2022 season.

Prediction: Jets 31, Cardinals 20

Record: 6-4

Week 11: vs. Colts 

Sunday, Nov. 17, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)

The Colts barely missed the postseason party last season after finishing 9-8 with Gardner Minshew under center. 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson missed the final 13 games after suffering a Grade 3 AC joint sprain.

Indianapolis added ex-Jets quarterback Joe Flacco after Minshew signed with the Raiders.

Prediction: Jets 34, Colts 17

Record: 7-4

Week 12: Bye

Week 13: vs. Seahawks 

Sunday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith will face the team that drafted him for the second time in three seasons. In 2022, Smith passed for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the 23-6 win against the Jets in 2022.

Mike Macdonald is now in charge in Seattle after Pete Carroll and the organization mutually parted ways this offseason.

Prediction: Jets 28, Seahawks 24

Record: 8-4

Week 14: at Miami Dolphins

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m. 

The Jets-Dolphins rivalry was one-sided a season ago after Miami swept the season series. The Dolphins outscored the Jets 64-13. That includes the 30-0 loss last December, which eliminated the Jets from playoff contention for the 13 consecutive season.

Prediction: Dolphins 31, Jets 20

Record: 8-5

Week 15: at Jaguars

Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. 

The 2024 season was a disappointing one for the Jaguars. A year after winning the AFC South and making it to the AFC Divisional Round, Jacksonville missed the playoffs after finishing 9-8.

As long as Trevor Lawrence is healthy, the Jaguars should be in the playoff mix again.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Jets 21

Record: 8-6

Week 16: vs. Rams

Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. 

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired this offseason, which should make many opposing quarterbacks around the league very happy.

The Rams finished 10-7 last season and made the playoffs before losing to the Lions in the wild-card game.

Prediction: Jets 28, Rams 24

Record: 9-6

Week 17: at Buffalo Bills 

Sunday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m.

If Gang Green is going to win the AFC East, all roads will go through Buffalo. The Bills have won four consecutive division titles. They also arguably have one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen.

Prediction: Bills 31, Jets 21

Record: 9-7

Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins 

Saturday, Jan. 4, or Sunday, Jan. 5

The Jets’ playoff hopes could hinge on their season finale against the Dolphins. Both teams figure to be playoff contenders in 2024, and the Dolphins have made the postseason the last two years.

Gang Green last swept Miami in 2015, the last time the team finished with a winning record (10-6).

Prediction: Jets 30, Dolphins 27

Record: 10-7

Final record prediction: 10-7, AFC Wild Card

After going all in the last two offseason, Saleh and the Jets have to win in 2024. Last season, Saleh and Jets general manager Joe Douglas received a mulligan after Rodgers’ injury. It’s hard to see that happening again under almost any circumstance.

The Jets have made the necessary moves to improve their offensive line, backup quarterback position, and add wide receiver help. Now, it is put up or shut up time for many in the organization.

Gang Green is set to play Minnesota on Oct. 6 in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the first time since 2021 the Jets will play in an international game. The Falcons defeated the Jets, 27-20, that year at the same venue.

On Monday, the NFL announced that the Jets will play the 49ers on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 9. This is the second consecutive year that the Jets will begin their season on “Monday Night Football.”

Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear four plays into last year’s Jets season opener against the Bills. He missed the rest of the 2023 season but practiced with the team during the final month after the Jets placed him on the 53-man roster in December.

Without Rodgers, the Jets finished 7-10 and third in the AFC East last season. The four-time NFL MVP is not expected to have any restrictions when OTAs begin on May 20.

The Jets could face former first-round pick Sam Darnold in Week 5. He signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings this offseason.

In 2018, the Jets selected Darnold third overall out of USC. He threw for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions over three seasons before the Jets traded him to the Panthers in 2021 for sixth-round, second-round and fourth-round picks.

Darnold will compete for the Vikings starting quarterback job with rookie J.J. McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

In addition to Jets-Vikings, the Bears will face the Jaguars in London on Oct. 13. The Jaguars will stay in London the following week to play the Patriots on Oct. 20.

Germany will host one NFL game in 2024. The Giants and Panthers will play in Munich on Nov. 10.

The rest of the NFL schedule will be released Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The NFL announced Tuesday morning that the San Francisco 49ers will host Rodgers and the Jets on Monday Night Football on Sept. 9 to conclude Week 1.

Last September, Rodgers made his Jets debut on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. However, his season was cut short after just four plays due to an Achilles tear. Despite his absence, the Jets secured a thrilling overtime victory against the Bills.

Rodgers had surgery on his Achilles two days later. The hope was for Rodgers to return late last season after he had a “speed bridge” procedure designed to expedite the recovery process. But the Jets were eliminated from postseason contention with a Week 15 blowout loss to the Dolphins.

Rodgers was still placed on the 53-man roster for the season’s final three games to continue practicing with the team.

According to Robert Saleh, Rodgers will have zero restrictions during OTAs, which begins on Monday.

The Jets are coming off a 7-10 season that was hindered by poor quarterback play following Rodgers’ injury. Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle all took snaps under center for the Jets.

This will be Saleh’s first meeting against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers as Jets head coach. Saleh was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator from 2017-20. Saleh was on the coaching staff when the 49ers played in Super Bowl LIV in 2019 before losing to the Chiefs.

Another storyline coming into the game involves Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was a 49ers linebacker for 10 seasons.

Shanahan and the 49ers are coming off another NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance. They finished 12-5 before losing to the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP after the 25-22 overtime victory.

The full 2024 NFL schedule will be released Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

The dates and times of the games will be released on May 15 at 8 p.m.

With Aaron Rodgers returning from a season-ending Achilles tear and an improved roster, the Jets are expected to receive several primetime games next season. Gang Green will play eight home and nine away games, including six against its divisional rivals (Bills, Dolphins, and Patriots). The Jets will also have games against the entire AFC South and NFC West, along with matchups against the Vikings, Steelers, and Broncos.

Now it’s time to break down teams the Jets 2024 opponents.

vs. Bills

The Bills are the standard in the AFC East. They have won the division title four years in a row.

However, Buffalo made several roster changes during the offseason. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are all gone.

Josh Allen, considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, is still under center. That’s likely why the Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East.

The Jets have split the season series against the Bills the last two seasons.

vs. Dolphins

The Dolphins swept the season series against the Jets last season. With Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle returning, Miami’s offense should be high-powered again.

Miami faces significant questions defensively. Christian Wilkins departed after signing a 4-year, $110M deal with the Raiders. Bradley Chubb [ACL] and Jaelan Phillips [Achilles] are both returning from season-ending injuries.

vs. Patriots

It sounds odd to say, but the Patriots are in rebuild mode. Jerod Mayo replaces Bill Belichick on the sidelines.

New England also has a new quarterback after selecting Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jets finally conquered their demons in the 2023 season finale after defeating the Patriots last year for the first time since 2015.

vs. Texans

The Texans should be one of the trendy picks to win the AFC next season. C.J. Stroud is coming off a season in which he passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Houston has had a fantastic offseason after acquiring Diggs, ex-Bengals running back Joe Mixon, and former Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter.

The Jets defeated the Texans 30-6 in their only meeting last season.

vs. Colts

The Jets will play the Colts for the first time since 2021. Indianapolis will have 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson back after the quarterback sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5.

Without Richardson, the Colts finished 9-8 and barely missed out on the playoffs.

vs. Rams

The Rams had a bounce-back season after finishing 5-12 in 2022. Los Angeles went 10-7 and lost in the wild-card game to the Lions.

Future Hall of Famer and former three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald retired this offseason. But the Rams selected defensive end Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske in this year’s draft.

vs. Seahawks

Pete Carroll and the Seahawks mutually agreed to part ways this offseason after a 9-8 season. Former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now patrolling the sidelines for Seattle.

Ex-Jets quarterback Geno Smith will play his former team for the second time. In 2022, The Seahawks defeated the Jets 23-6.

vs. Broncos

At this point, the Jets and Broncos should just become rivals. 2024 will be the fifth consecutive season the two teams have met.

Zach Wilson was traded to the Broncos this offseason after three seasons with the Jets. Who can forget last season when Broncos coach Sean Payton fired shots at Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and all the attention the team received in the previous offseason?

The Jets have defeated the Broncos twice in the last two years.

at Jaguars

A year after winning the AFC South and reaching the AFC Divisional Round, the Jaguars took a step back in 2023. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence battled injuries, and Jacksonville missed the playoffs after finishing 9-8.

After losing Calvin Ridley in free agency to the Titans, the Jaguars selected LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. 23th overall.

at Titans

The Jets will play the Titans for the first time since 2021. Tennessee fired coach Mike Vrabel after the team finished 6-11. The Titans hired ex-Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to replace him.

This will be Will Levis‘ first full season as the Titans’ starting quarterback. He became the starter in Week 8 last year after Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury.

at Cardinals

Some Jets fans wanted the team to trade up to select Marvin Harrison Jr. in this year’s draft. Now Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed will be able to face the rookie wide receiver.

Arizona is coming off a disappointing 4-13 season. However, Kyler Murray should be completely healthy after missing the first nine games of last season due to his ACL tear late in 2022.

at 49ers

Robert Saleh will face his former team for the first time since leaving to become Jets coach. Saleh was the 49ers defensive coordinator for four seasons, including in 2019 when they lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

San Francisco is also coming off another Super Bowl loss to Kansas City. This will be the first meeting between the Jets and 49ers since a 31-13 loss in 2020.

at Steelers 

Pittsburgh is not lacking storylines this offseason. The team has added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, which should make for an exciting quarterback competition during training camp.

Despite making the playoffs after finishing 10-7, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is feeling a bit of heat. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016.

at Vikings

The Jets will visit the Vikings for the second time in three seasons. Gang Green lost to Minnesota 27-22.

This matchup could be intriguing. During the offseason, former Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract.

However, the Vikings also selected former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in April’s draft.

The Jets’ roster is in much better shape than a year ago when they first acquired Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Packers.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Daily News Jets Mailbag, where we dive into the most pressing X/Twitter questions as we gear up for OTAs and mandatory minicamps in the upcoming weeks.

Some of us were excited about Izzy’s [Abanikanda] potential at RB2, but the draft shows that the organization probably doesn’t have the same view. Is there even a spot on the roster for him anymore? @MrBill11

The Jets surprised many by drafting both Braelon Allen (Wisconsin) and Isaiah Davis (South Dakota State). While many believe that will spell the end of Abanikanda with Gang Green, that might not be the case.

I believe the Jets are still high on Abanikanda. Fans must remember that he is still 21 years old and only registered 77 offensive snaps, 70 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards during his rookie campaign.

But he needs to improve his pass protection, an area many young running backs struggle with when entering the league.

There’s a world where the Jets keep four running backs on the roster. Last year, the Jets kept four running backs on the roster if you include fullback Nick Bawden. However, Abanikanda will have to fight for touches and his place in the running back pecking order during training camp.

How concerned are you about the “play caller”? Seems we are relying on Hackett to do what he hasn’t done well or give to Rodgers which is a failure of coaching competence. @FixTheNation

That is my biggest concern with the Jets. The roster is impressive and Gang Green has improved the offensive line and added receiver depth.

Last season, it appeared offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett didn’t understand the strengths of his personnel. That was very concerning because Breece Hall should have been more of a factor in the passing game earlier in the season.

Having Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle under center significantly handcuffed the offense. However, the lack of in-game adjustments was troublesome.

Getting Rodgers back from his Achilles tear should help a lot. Whatever Hackett calls in the huddle, Rodgers will make the necessary adjustments at the line of scrimmage and get the ball to his playmakers accordingly.

Do you think they’ll add a veteran WR to the team? If so, who can you see them signing? @_Jet_Mike

I don’t think so unless they want to release Xavier Gipson or Jason Brownlee. The Jets already have six receivers on their roster, and I’m not including Irvin Charles, who will primarily play on special teams.

We all know Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley and Allen Lazard will be on the team in 2024. Lazard is owed $10 million guaranteed after a disappointing season last year (23 catches, 311 yards and one touchdown).

Gipson and Brownlee are young, but the coaching staff is excited about their potential. Unless injuries occur, I believe the Jets are set at wideout.

What are the odds we get [David] Bakhtiari, [Connor] McGovern or [Marcus] Maye? @Stevied40785529

I believe the Jets still need depth on their offensive line. The front five looks good, and Jets general manager Joe Douglas’ selection of Olu Fashanu in the first round was brilliant. But this is the Jets, and we have seen the worst-case scenario on the offensive line the last two years.

I don’t know if the Jets will make any more significant moves, considering they only have $9.1 million of salary cap space. But bringing McGovern back would be a wise move.

McGovern knows the system and would be a good backup should something happen to Joe Tippmann. Also, if injuries occur on the line again, Tippmann could slide to guard, and McGovern could be the starting center again.

Potential surprise cut of camp? @Xavier_NYC

Tackle Max Mitchell or safety Jarrick Bernard-Converse are two names to consider.

After the Jets selected Mitchell in the 2022 NFL Draft, he started five games as a rookie and seven in 2023. But Mitchell could be the odd man out after the Jets selected Fashanu.

Mitchell will compete with Carter Warren for the second Jets backup tackle spot. I don’t think they would keep them both, and Mitchell has been inconsistent during his time in the league. If given the choice, I believe they would keep Warren and move on from Mitchell.

Bernard-Converse only played four snaps last season after he was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list after recovering from a foot injury. But if the Jets were to upgrade at safety, Bernard-Converse would likely be on the chopping block.

That injury caused the 24-year-old to slide to the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Jets selected him 171st overall.

While some players might have played the “what if” game, Jordan says he doesn’t think about where he would’ve been selected had he stayed healthy.

“It’s a dream come true, at the end of the day,” Travis said on Saturday. “It’s an opportunity for me to get better. That’s the way I look at it, God has a plan for me.

“Every day I wake up, I just have to be the best person I can be, best teammate I can be at everything I do. It is a dream come true to be here. I love it here and I can’t wait to meet my other teammates.”

During his five seasons at Florida State, Travis threw for 8,644 yards, 66 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,910 yards and 31 TDs.

Travis’ finest season with the Seminoles came in 2023. He finished with 2,756 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, two interceptions and completed 64% of his passes. Travis also led Florida State to its first ACC Championship since 2014 and finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

However, Travis suffered a season-ending broken leg against North Alabama last November that required surgery.

Travis said after his injury, he found inspiration from his family, who helped him endure a challenging time.

“I have a great supporting cast back home,” Travis said. “My family, my friends, they push me every single day. They inspire me to be better.

“My mom goes to work 8 to 5 every single day, so she inspires me.”

Travis came to Florida State and coach Mike Norvell’s program as a raw athletic quarterback with great potential. He left as one of the more accurate passers in the nation.

Travis is accurate in the short and intermediate passing game and excels in play-action. He is also an intelligent decision-maker and has a lightning-quick release.

“Jordan is a dynamic player and obviously a tough injury for him and the team last year, but dynamic player,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. “He came on a 30-Visit, just getting a chance to spend time with him and get to know him as a as a person.

“He’s a special guy, you can see why teammates gravitate towards him and why he’s one of the more respected guys when you talk to other players at Florida State. So, we’re just happy to add him.

“He’s coming to a great situation with some unbelievable veteran leadership and kind of similar situation as Olu [Fashanu], but at even at a different level with the two vets we have in the room. So, really cool opportunity for him to learn, develop, and just showcase his ability.”

The plan for the 2024 season is for Travis to sit and observe Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. But Gang Green knows that plans sometimes do not work out.

A year ago, the Jets wanted to sit Zach Wilson behind Rodgers after he was the starting quarterback for his first two seasons in the league. But Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the Jets season opener against the Bills and missed the rest of the season.

With Rodgers, 40, coming off a severe injury and Taylor, 34, with an extensive injury history, the Jets wanted to add another quarterback to their roster. During his pre-draft press conference, Douglas told reporters that he wants to develop a “quarterback factory,” much like the Packers did during the 1990s and 2000s.

Travis enters the Jets’ situation knowing he is the third-string quarterback. But there could come a day when he becomes Rodgers’ heir apparent.

“I do think about that a lot,” Travis said. “Right now, I’m just focused on my rehab and just getting healthy and getting everybody around me better, and being a great teammate.”

Travis did not participate during the Jets rookie minicamp this weekend. He is still rehabbing his leg but has been cleared to return to some activities.

During the rehab process, Travis has been doing movement exercises and squatting. During the two-day minicamp, Travis rode a stationary bike off to the side.

“I feel great,” Travis said. “Just focusing on rehab and doing my best and just trying to get ready as fast as possible, obviously, that’s the goal. Just try to get 100% and get better every day.”

Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Friday that Travis won’t partake in OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but he should be cleared for training camp in late July.

“We feel like he’s kind of a ball of clay,” Saleh said about Travis. “A lot of these kids are coming from college and the style of college, its tremendous schemes, but they’re more tailor-made to what they can and can’t do rule-wise at the college level.

“You’re getting these quarterbacks who when it comes to footwork and throwing motion and just being able to process and working in an NFL offense, getting under center, controlling the huddle, all that good stuff. There are so many things that we feel like we can build on that athleticism. So, there’s a lot of excitement with regards to that.”

Rodgers will not be restricted during Phase 3 of the team’s offseason program, according to Jets head coach Robert Saleh,

“He has had a couple of prior engagements, but he’s here,” Saleh said about Rodgers on Friday. “He’s working. That guy can still sling it.

“He is still working through his rehab. No issues on the trajectory at this point.

“But once Phase 3 hits, we are not anticipating any restrictions on what he can and can’t do.”

Phase 1 of the NFL offseason program consisted of meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation for the first two weeks. The Jets are currently in Phase 2, which lasts three weeks. This is when on-field workouts may include individual or group drills, but no live contact or offense versus defense drills are allowed.

Phase 3 will begin in late May and consist of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs.” No live contact is permitted, but players can partake in 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.

Last September, during the season opener against the Bills, Rodgers, 40, tore his Achilles four plays into his Jets debut. Two days later, Rodgers had what is called a “speed bridge” surgical procedure, which involved placing an internal brace across the tear to protect the repair and help it heal faster.

Rodgers was expected to return before the 2023 season concluded and help the Jets make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. On November 30, Gang Green activated Rodgers’ 21-day window. However, after the Jets were officially eliminated following a December 30-0 loss to the Dolphins, they declared Rodgers out for the rest of the season. However, he was activated and placed on the 53-man roster to continue practicing with the team.

Last year, basically without Rodgers for the entire season, the Jets went 7-10 for the second consecutive season and finished third in the AFC East. In Rodgers’ absence, Zach Wilson (11), Tim Boyle (two) and Trevor Siemian (three) all started games for the Jets. They finished 31st (268.6) in total offense and 29th in points per game (15.8).

To help improve the offense, the Jets have made upgrades around Rodgers. They added left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses. Gang Green also selected left tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall in last week’s draft.

Along with Fashanu, the Jets drafted Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley in the third round and running backs Braelon Allen (Wisconsin) and Isaiah Davis (South Dakota State) in the fourth and fifth rounds.

“It’s an exciting group to work with,” Saleh said. We still have to do the work because there’s a lot to be done. The number one thing is keeping all of these guys healthy. It is a group that we are excited about.”

CORLEY INVITED TO STAY IN RODGERS’ GUESTHOUSE

On draft night, Rodgers reached out to Corley after the team selected him 65th overall.

The two have remained in contact for the last couple of days. Rodgers has even extended an invitation for Corley to stay with the four-time NFL MVP.

“I’m just like a little kid, and he’s an adult,” Corley said about Rodgers. “He’s an MVP, Hall of Famer, all those types of things and I’m just like a little kid, talking and texting and see what he has done to stay consistent in the league. The things that he has done work on his mental health, how he has kept his body alive for so long.

“I’ve had conversations with him and he said I can stay in his guesthouse if I want to, so that’s going to be my dog while I’m here.”

Corley is called the “YAC King,” and for good reason. He is in the same mold as 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Corley is a physical receiver who punishes defensive backs and refuses to go down on first contact.

In his final season at Western Kentucky, Corley finished with 79 receptions for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 8.6 yards after contact per reception, leading the nation with 330 yards on screen passes.

In college, Corley was mainly used from the slot. He would run screens, angle routes, and tunnel screens. This is when Corley would use his body to run through defensive backs and, occasionally, linebackers.

“I just love football,” Corley said. “I love football, and I love life. I think the lord has blessed me with some talent and abilities. Every time I get the ball in my hands, I’m just ready to punish somebody. That’s the way I like to play the game. Getting in the weight room, getting stronger, physically outmatching guys, knowing defensive backs really don’t want to tackle. Every time I get the ball, I’m trying to make something happen with it. Running through guys is my way of imposing my will.”

Mosley agreed to a two-year deal of $17.25 million, with $13.25 million guaranteed. That replaced the non-guaranteed $17 million in base salary he was supposed to receive in 2024.

“The main mindset was, I want to be here, and I want to be a New York Jet,” Mosley said. “I want to be a part of this defense that we helped build together. We came a long way from 2019 and when I came here, I wanted to build a winning program.

“Obviously bring a Super Bowl, bring a championship to our team. Until I feel like I can’t do that anymore at the highest level, I shouldn’t be a New York Jet.”

Mosley has been the leader of the Jets’ defense since he arrived in 2019. After he played in three games in 2019 due to a groin injury and opted out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mosley has averaged 159.3 tackles during the 2021-23 seasons.

When Jets general manager Joe Douglas approached him about a contract restructuring, Mosley told him he wanted to remain with the team.

“Talked to Joe D before anything, and we had a face-to-face, heart-to-heart,” Mosley said. “He said he wanted me here and I want to be here, so we made it happen. Definitely appreciative of it.

“We got it done and we got to work. That’s what it’s all about, not always because of the money or the pay cut and all of that stuff.

“Sacrifices come in many different ways, whether you talk about sacrifices with your team or your teammates. It was one small gesture, but it goes a long way. But I don’t care about money when I get on the football field.”

JETS HOLDING ROOKIE MINICAMP THIS WEEKEND

The Jets will hold their rookie minicamp from May 3 to 5. The recent draft picks aren’t expected to participate in any drills, but some notable undrafted free agents the Jets signed should be in attendance:

Michigan EDGE Braiden McGregor
Miami WR Tyler Harrell
Miami DL Leonard Taylor III
South Carolina EDGE Tyreek Johnson
California LB Jackson Sirmon
Army LB Jimmy Ciarlo
Tulane CB Jarius Monroe
North Carolina State CB Shyheim Battle
San Jose State S Tre Jenkins

Alijah Vera-Tucker has also been affected by the injury bug. He has played just 12 of 34 games in the previous two seasons.

However, Vera-Tucker is getting his strength back and is running after his Achilles injury last October.

“I really can’t speak on training camp or Week 1,” Vera-Tucker said. “But what I can tell you guys, I feel really good. I’m getting a lot of strength back in my calf and lower leg muscles.

“Running, cutting, doing all of that, and doing some O-Line drills outside of team stuff. So I’m feeling really good and definitely on pace to have a good start to the season.”

Last season, the Jets led the NFL in offensive line combinations (14 in 17 games). In 2022, 11 different players started games on the offensive line.

“It is not a topic of conversation,” Vera-Tucker said about the team’s offensive line injuries. “I think the last couple of years haven’t been fortunate for us.

“The kind of things that you can’t control, and it is out of our hands. A lot of the guys from last year stepped up, played their role and did a great job. We got a lot of experience from guys who took those reps last year.”

In two years, the Jets lost Vera-Tucker to two season-ending injuries. He only played five games before tearing his Achilles during a win against the Broncos on Oct. 8. Vera-Tucker also suffered a triceps tear that limited him to seven games in 2022.

Before his injuries, Vera-Tucker was a Swiss Army Knife on the Jets’ offensive line. He has played every offensive line position outside of center.

That’s why the Jets, despite his recent injuries, picked up his 2025 fifth-year option, which will be worth $15.3 million.

“I was first and foremost, blessed,” Vera-Tucker said. “I got to celebrate with my wife out here, so that was real cool. A lot of people hit me up, so I appreciate that and everybody who showed love to me in the past.

“It’s another opportunity to be in that Jets uniform, which I love to be in. I love playing for this organization.”

But the Jets want to keep Vera-Tucker at one spot in 2024, which will be at right guard following the team’s free-agent additions this offseason.

Tyron Smith was signed to play left tackle, and John Simpson was brought in to play left guard. The Jets also acquired right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.

With Smith and Moses both 33, the Jets also brought in extra insurance after selecting Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I expect it to be a real great improvement,” Vera-Tucker said about the team’s offensive line. “We have a Hall of Famer on the left side.

“You got Morgan Moses, a decorated right tackle in the league, and John Simpson, too. A lot of guys in the room who are just putting their head down, working, grinding and we know the type of unit we have in that room.

“We know the opportunity is there, we can’t waste it. Everybody has to stay healthy, that’s the main thing. Moving forward, we expect a lot of goals set for ourselves.”

Jets general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh have been widely criticized for that.

That’s why Douglas set out to strengthen a unit that finished 31st in yards (268.6) and 29th in points per game (15.8) this offseason. Mission accomplished because now the Jets offense has vastly improved from just a season ago.

Last month, the Jets signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year contract. They also addressed the offensive line by acquiring left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson, and right tackle Morgan Moses.

Douglas’ mission continued during the 2024 NFL Draft when the Jets used five of their seven picks on offensive players.

Gang Green’s starting offensive line was complete with the additions of Smith, Simpson, and Moses. But that didn’t stop the Jets from adding more insurance on the offensive line by drafting Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu, who did not allow a single sack during his final two seasons at Penn State.

Last season, the Jets used 14 different offensive line combinations in 17 games, the most in the league. Douglas had the foresight to be proactive and ensure the Jets would be in good shape should injuries occur on the offensive line again. Especially with Aaron Rodgers, 40, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury.

Smith, 33, has also not played an entire season since 2015. Moses, 33, had offseason surgery on a torn pectoral muscle he suffered early last season. Adding Fashanu not only gives the Jets their future left tackle but will also allow Alijah Vera-Tucker to stay at right guard after he moved around the last two seasons.

“Definitely, the last two years have been a revolving door of offensive linemen,” Douglas said. “Coach [Saleh] said it, we talked about it, we have gotten together, and we really can’t have enough at that position.

“I talked about it earlier, coach talked about it too, but it is a cool room. You have two unbelievable vets [veterans] at tackle coming in and they are really going to take a lot of these young guys under their wings. We have unbelievable depth, all of our depth players have started games last year. It is a really cool room.”

Douglas also expanded the Jets’ receiver room in the draft by adding Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley, who can line up in the slot or on the outside. Williams is expected to be the Jets’ No. 2 receiver opposite Garrett Wilson. However, Williams is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 last season with the Chargers and may not be available for the start of training camp.

Corley is dubbed the “YAC King” for gaining yards after the catch. He can get low and deliver punishing blows to second and third-level defenders while finishing aggressively.

On Day 3, the Jets also double-dipped by selecting Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen in Round 4 and South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis in Round 5. Drafting physical running backs like Allen and Davis will serve the Jets well in the winter months and take a lot of pressure off Breece Hall.

The Jets’ most prominent draft pick of Day 3 was made in Round 5 when they selected Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis. Gang Green has been searching for a developmental quarterback after trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos last week. During his pre-draft press conference, Douglas told reporters that he wanted to turn the Jets into a “quarterback factory.”

Travis would’ve been a surefire Day 2 selection if not for a broken leg that prematurely ended his career at Florida State. He helped lead the Seminoles to an ACC Championship after passing for 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Who knows if all of these moves will pay off. But Douglas deserves credit for swinging big and trying to improve an offense that was broken the last two seasons.

In a loaded AFC, at least on paper, the Jets roster is among the best in the conference.

“I feel like we had a plan,” Douglas said. “We tried to keep the main thing the main thing throughout the offseason. I feel like we stuck to what we tried to do and tried to avoid distractions and not waiver from our process. We’ve been able to do that. Look, we’re excited about the team and excited to get this thing going.”