Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets

This NFL season has been a story of resilience and growth for the New York Jets, and that success is now being recognized through a series of prestigious awards that highlight the standout performances of their key units. From a dominant defensive line that’s terrorized quarterbacks to a special teams group that’s flipped field position in critical moments, and an offensive unit that found its rhythm after midseason adjustments, each award serves as a testament to the team’s collective effort. These honors aren’t just individual accolades—they’re a reflection of the chemistry, hard work, and strategic vision that have turned the Jets into late-season playoff contenders. Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets isn’t just about celebrating wins; it’s about acknowledging how every unit’s contribution has come together to redefine the team’s identity this year.

Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets kicks off with the Jets’ defensive line, which has been named the “AFC Defensive Front of the Month” for December—an honor that recognizes their relentless pass rush and run-stopping dominance. Led by defensive ends Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson II, and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, the unit recorded 12 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, and 15 tackles for loss in December’s four games. What set them apart was their consistency: they held opponents to just 89 rushing yards per game (the lowest in the AFC that month) and sacked quarterbacks at least twice in every December contest, including a season-high 4 sacks against the Cleveland Browns. “This award is for the entire defensive line room—we push each other every day to be better,” Lawson said after the announcement. “We don’t just play for ourselves; we play for the guys next to us, and this award shows that our hard work is paying off.” The honor marks the first time a Jets defensive line has won a monthly award since 2019, a sign of how far the unit has come under defensive line coach Matt Raich.

A second unit in the spotlight for Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets is the special teams group, which earned the “NFL Special Teams Unit of the Week” twice this season—once in Week 16 after their game-changing performance against the Seattle Seahawks, and again in Week 17 for their role in the win over the Browns. In Week 16, kicker Greg Zuerlein drilled a 54-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, while the kickoff coverage unit held the Seahawks to an average starting field position of their own 20-yard line. In Week 17, punt returner Jason Brownlee recorded a 35-yard return that set up a key touchdown, and the special teams unit didn’t allow a single yard on Seattle’s only onside kick attempt. “Special teams is often the unsung hero of a football team, so it’s amazing to see this group get the recognition they deserve,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. “Every player on this unit takes pride in their role, whether it’s blocking for a return, covering a kick, or making a clutch field goal. These awards show that we’re one of the best special teams units in the league.”

Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets also highlights the Jets’ secondary, which was named a finalist for the “NFL Defensive Backfield of the Year” award—an acknowledgment of their ability to shut down some of the league’s top wide receivers and create turnovers for the New York Jets. Led by nickel corner Michael Carter II, safety Jordan Whitehead, and cornerback Sauce Gardner, the secondary ranked 8th in the NFL in interceptions (18) and 6th in pass breakups (65) this season. Carter II, who emerged as a star after shifting to a hybrid role midseason, held opposing slot receivers to just a 52% completion rate, while Whitehead recorded 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles—including a game-sealing pick against the Los Angeles Rams. “Being a finalist for this award means a lot to our secondary,” Whitehead said. “We spend hours watching film together, practicing coverage drills, and building trust in each other. For the New York Jets, this nomination is a sign that our secondary is among the elite in the league, and that’s a great feeling.” The unit’s success has been a key factor in the Jets’ top-10 overall defense, as they’ve limited opposing quarterbacks to a 78.3 passer rating—the 7th lowest in the NFL.

Another unit earning acclaim in Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets is the Jets’ offensive line, which received the “AFC Offensive Line of the Week” award for Week 15—recognizing their role in the team’s 23-20 overtime win over the Rams and their ability to protect the quarterback and open running lanes for the New York Jets. With backup left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi stepping in for the injured Mekhi Becton, the line didn’t allow a single sack of Zach Wilson and helped the Jets rush for 142 yards (including 89 yards from running back Michael Carter). They also converted 4 of 6 third-down attempts, thanks in large part to their ability to create space for Wilson to extend plays and for runners to find holes. “This award is a testament to the resilience of our offensive line,” offensive line coach John Benton said. “Losing Mekhi was a challenge, but Cedric stepped up, and the entire line worked together to keep Zach protected and open up running lanes. For the New York Jets, this award shows that our offensive line can compete with the best in the league, even when we’re missing key players.” The honor marked the first time the Jets’ offensive line has won a weekly award since 2021, a milestone that reflects the unit’s growth under Benton’s leadership.

Finally, Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets wraps up with how these awards have boosted team morale and set a high standard for the future of the franchise. Each honor has reinforced the idea that the Jets are building something special— a team where every unit contributes to success, and where hard work and teamwork are rewarded. Head coach Robert Saleh emphasized that these awards are just the beginning: “These honors are great, but they’re not our end goal. We want to win championships, and these awards show that we’re on the right path. Every unit’s success is a piece of the puzzle, and when we put them all together, we’re a team that can compete with anyone.” For the Jets’ players, the awards have been a source of pride and motivation as they push for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the season. “Winning these awards makes us want to work even harder,” said defensive end Carl Lawson. “We know that if we keep playing like this, we can accomplish something big this year.” Awards Shine on Units of the New York Jets ultimately reveals that the team’s success isn’t just about individual stars—it’s about every unit working in harmony to achieve a common goal. And as these awards show, that harmony is making the Jets one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NFL this season.