ESPN: New York Jets' haul in free agency not held in high regard in rankings

[ASFN Admin]

The work of the front office for the New York Jets during the NFL's free agency frenzy in 2025 did not earn high praise from ESPN.

It was ranked in the second half of the NFL.

While quarterback Justin Fields was convinced to come to New York and the Jets added cornerback Brandon Stephens... ESPN was not sold by general manager Darren Mougey.

In ESPN's team-by-team rankings of the "most-improved rosters" in the league after the opening stages of free agency, the Jets landed at the No. 22 overall spot. Of all teams in the AFC, only the Pittsburgh Steelers (26), Tennessee Titans (27), and Houston Texans (28) were ranked lower.

In terms of the AFC East, those rivals ranked:

• 1. Buffalo Bills
• 9. New England Patriots
• 14. Miami Dolphins

ESPN's breakdown on the Jets can be found below:

Key acquisitions and returning players: LB Jamien Sherwood, QB Justin Fields, CB Brandon Stephens, S Andre Cisco, C Josh Myers

I loved: The Fields gamble. If there is a good candidate for a Sam Darnold/Geno Smith/Baker Mayfield-esque recovery, it is Fields, who simply has not enjoyed a good offensive environment in his NFL career. As the Jets reconstruct the offensive depth chart post-Aaron Rodgers, Fields will have at least one, maybe two seasons to prove he is at least capable of bridging the team into the future with acceptable play. And potentially, he can prove more.

It's the right gamble for a team looking for a slower, more methodical rebuild than the previous regime's panicked dash for Rodgers.

I didn't love: The secondary approach. I don't know who the Jets were competing with when they gave Stephens $12 million per year. He was one of the most targeted cornerbacks last season, and he gave up more expected points added (EPA) as the nearest defender in coverage than all but one other defensive back. The $8.5 million for Cisco also exceeded my expectations, though that's a smaller commitment and therefore less worrisome. The secondary was a strength for the Jets for the past few seasons, and I'm worried a step back is inevitable as the new staff reconfigures the group and installs new schemes.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: ESPN: Jets' haul in free agency not held in high regard in rankings

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