Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets

Fresh off a midseason rebuild that freed up $18 million in salary cap space, the New York Jets have wasted no time in mapping out their 2025 free agency strategy—identifying key targets months ahead of the official March 12 start date. Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets isn’t just about compiling a list of names; it’s a deliberate effort to address the team’s most pressing positional needs, leverage their financial flexibility, and align acquisitions with head coach Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s playbook. For a Jets franchise still digging out of a 1-7 season, early target identification is critical: it allows the front office to build relationships with agents, conduct deep scouting, and avoid the last-minute scrambles that have derailed past offseasons. “When you’re in a rebuild, you can’t afford to wait,” said NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “The Jets are being proactive, and that’s exactly what they need to do to turn this around.”

Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets begins with the team’s top priority: upgrading the wide receiver corps, which ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per game (185) this season. The Jets have zeroed in on two prime targets: Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins and Indianapolis Colts speedster Michael Pittman Jr. Higgins, a 6’4” playmaker with 31 career touchdowns, would provide a much-needed red-zone threat for quarterback Zach Wilson, while Pittman’s 1,194-yard 2023 season and ability to win contested catches would complement incumbent Garrett Wilson. Both players are set to hit unrestricted free agency, and the Jets’ cap space—projected to be $25 million by March—gives them the means to pursue either. “We need weapons that can make plays consistently,” Hackett said in a recent interview. “Higgins and Pittman are the kind of receivers who can take our offense to the next level. They fit our system, and they have the experience to help Garrett and Zach grow.” Scouting reports also highlight Higgins’ and Pittman’s durability—both have missed just three games combined since 2021—a key factor for a Jets team that has struggled with injuries at the position.

Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets delves into the Jets’ second critical need: offensive tackle, where the team has struggled to protect Wilson’s blind side all season. The Jets’ top target here is Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker, a 10-year veteran who has started 120 games and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2022. Decker, who turns 31 in August, has proven he can still compete at a high level—allowing just 2 sacks and 8 quarterback hits in 2024—and his experience in a zone-blocking scheme aligns perfectly with Hackett’s offense. The Jets are also considering Baltimore Ravens right tackle Morgan Moses, a reliable starter who has never missed a game in his 11-year career, as a backup plan. “Offensive line is the foundation of any good offense, and we haven’t had that consistency,” said Jets general manager Joe Douglas. “Decker is a proven leader who can stabilize our left tackle spot for years. He’s exactly the kind of player we want to build around.” The Jets’ interest in Decker is also personal: Douglas worked with the Lions’ front office during Decker’s rookie season, giving the Jets insider knowledge of his work ethic and fit.

Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets highlights how the New York Jets are balancing short-term impact with long-term sustainability in their target list. Unlike past offseasons, where the Jets overpaid for aging veterans (e.g., Carl Lawson’s 2022 deal), this year’s targets are mostly in their prime: Higgins (26), Pittman (26), and Decker (30) all have 3-4 productive years left, avoiding the “win-now” mistakes that derailed previous rebuilds. The Jets are also targeting young unrestricted free agents with upside, like Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson (25), who has 9 sacks in two seasons and fits Saleh’s aggressive 4-3 scheme. “We’re not just looking for players who can help us next year—we’re looking for players who can be part of our core for the next five years,” Douglas explained. “The New York Jets learned a hard lesson about overcommitting to veterans, and we’re not making that mistake again. Our targets have to fit both our salary cap plan and our timeline for contention.” This approach has earned praise from salary cap experts, with Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald noting, “The Jets are being smart. They’re targeting players who are entering their prime, not exiting it—that’s how you build a sustainable winner.”

Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets explores the Jets’ scouting process for these targets, which began in November—months earlier than usual. The Jets’ scouting department has assigned dedicated evaluators to each top target, analyzing every snap from their 2024 season, conducting interviews with former coaches and teammates, and even studying their off-field habits to ensure they fit the team’s culture. For example, scouts noted that Pittman volunteers at local food banks in Indianapolis and has a reputation for staying late after practice to work with quarterbacks—a fit for the Jets’ “team-first” mantra. The Jets have also sent assistant coaches to attend games of their top targets, allowing for in-person evaluation of how they perform in high-pressure situations. “Scouting isn’t just about stats—it’s about character and fit,” said Jets director of scouting Jon Carr. “We want players who will buy into Robert’s culture and work as hard as our current guys. The New York Jets’ success depends on it.” This early, thorough scouting has already paid off: the Jets have held informal meetings with the agents of Higgins and Decker, laying the groundwork for contract talks in February.

Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets wraps up with the stakes of this early planning for the Jets’ rebuild. A successful free agency could turn the Jets from a 1-7 team into a playoff contender by 2026, while a misstep could set the franchise back another two years. For fans, the early target list has sparked cautious optimism—especially after years of disappointing offseasons. “I’ve been burned before, but this feels different,” said long-time Jets fan Mike Donnelly, who runs a popular team blog. “They’re targeting good players who fit their system, not just big names. That’s the kind of planning we’ve been waiting for.” In the locker room, players like Quinnen Williams have also expressed excitement: “It’s good to see the front office being proactive. We need these guys to help us win, and it gives us all something to look forward to.” As the Jets wrap up their 2024 season, all eyes will be on March 2025—but the groundwork being laid now could define the franchise’s future. Free Agency Targets Identified Early for the New York Jets isn’t just a story about potential signings; it’s a story about a franchise finally learning from its mistakes and building a winning plan—one targeted player at a time.