Opinion: Same Old Jets? Maybe Not — Depth Is Finally a Positive Sign

The start of the season wasn’t exactly ideal, but watching the Jets during the preseason has sparked a lot of thoughts — good ones, surprisingly. Honestly, it’s made me rethink the old narrative. Friends of mine love to joke, “Same old Jets,” and the media often seems eager to back that up. But the more I watch, the harder it is for me to believe that’s still the case.

After all the talent we’ve added over the past few seasons, this doesn’t feel like the same team anymore.

For one thing, we finally have something we’ve sorely lacked for years: real depth. The evidence? Look no further than the waiver wire. Seven players cut from our roster were picked up by other NFL teams — some even stepping into key roles. Think about that. Seven players we didn’t have room for were still valuable enough for other teams to claim. To me, that’s a huge testament to the kind of foundation Joe Douglas has been building.

Take Will Parks, for example. His cut surprised a lot of us, but he quickly landed on the Jets’ practice squad — a sign that the coaching staff still sees value in him.

Building depth isn’t glamorous. It’s not the kind of move that grabs headlines. But the Jets’ strategy over the past few years — playing younger guys, even at the cost of wins — is finally paying off. Competition at every position has created a roster filled with players hungry to prove themselves, players who bring different styles and skill sets to the table.

And the preseason is exactly when you see those flashes of potential — the splash plays, the highlight moments that make fans sit up and take notice. We’ve already seen it this year from guys like Will Parks, Lawrence Cager, Tanzel Smart, Jonathan Marshall, and Zonovan “Bam” Knight. These aren’t just practice squad fillers; they’re players who create real excitement and buzz among the fanbase.

Former Jets RB Zonovan Knight is a great example of the kind of homegrown depth that can make a difference.

For once, it feels like we’re not just hoping for a few good starters. We’re excited about the next wave of players too. And that’s something we haven’t been able to say in a very long time.

There’s still a long way to go, and like all of you, I’m eager to see how it all plays out. But for now, I can finally say it with confidence: the depth on this team is real — and it’s a sign of better things ahead.

#Players #JoeDouglas #Roster #Depth #Jets