Jets GM Mougey Finds Success Working the Margins
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the scene at the NFL owners meetings in late March can be a loud one. It’s an opulent event designed to make the league’s rich owners feel agreeable – and it’s a sight to watch the biggest names and faces in the NFL get pulled every which way. New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey is 6-foot-5, but last March he managed to skirt through The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach mostly undetected. It was his first time at the event, an indoctrination into life as an NFL team’s top decision-maker. He was fresh off his first wave of free agency, which was more like dipping a toe than making a big splash.
That was always the Jets’ plan. They didn’t target big-name free agents. Their most significant signing was a quarterback (Justin fields) who was benched by the Steelers last year and was joining his third team in three years. An impatient fan base waited for something notable to happen when free agency kicked off, but rather Mougey – with head coach Aaron Glenn, who wields a big stick in all roster decisions – mostly searched for bargains. He and Glenn targeted players with traits worth developing, ones who had shown flashes during past stops but not enough to garner significant interest in free agency. There were some risks.
It is early – very early – but returns on much of that free-agency class have been meager for the Jets (0-3). The moves the Jets did make and the ones they didn’t have contributed to where the roster is now, affected by injuries at key spots, a lack of depth showing up in spots the team did not adequately address.
But Mougey, to his credit, continues to work the margins – notably on the trade market. He has traded for quality (or potential quality) players at unexpected points in the process. When the Minnesota Vikings let it be known that veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips would be available just before the season, Mougey and the Jets pounced, adding a player who would provide an immediate upgrade next to Quinnen Williams at a small price (2026 and 2027 sixth-round picks in exchange for Phillips and a 2027 seventh-rounder).It was a trade focused on the now; the 29-year-old Phillips is on the last year of his deal and immediatly plugged in as a starter and a leader.
The other two trades Mougey made in recent weeks are more promising for the long-term. Defensive tackle jowon Briggs was acquired from the Cleveland Browns on the same day as Phillips (Aug. 20). The 24-year-old flashed some talent at the end of last season for Cleveland and played well during the preseason – and that has translated to the first three games of the 2025 season. Briggs has been one of the few bright spots for an or else disappointing defense. He has one sack (one of only four Jets players to record a full sack) along with four pressures and one QB hit. Pro Football Focus has him graded as the Jets’ second-best defensive player, behind Williams. Among defensive tackles to play at least 50 snaps, PFF has him graded 12th overall and 17th against the run.
Another unexpected deal came on Wednesday, when the Jets acquired Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee (along with a seventh-round pick) in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Many who follow the Titans were confused by the minimal return for a starting-caliber cornerback, though league sources suggested that Tennessee had soured on the 24-year-old. The Jets were not the only team to pursue Brownlee – the New England Patriots were another, according to league sources – once the Titans made him available.
Brownlee was a fifth-round pick last year who quickly out-played his draft standing when he became a full-time starter after some injuries. Brownlee was projected as a nickel corner coming out of Louisville – don’t be surprised if that’s his role with the Jets too, especially with Michael Carter II banged up and struggling – but mostly played on the outside with Tennessee. he’s an imperfect player (called for 11 penalties in 19 games), but league sources praise his competitive fire and his aggression in the running game, where he’s graded out well in his career thus far. Brownlee,who was spotted with a boot last week and missed the Titans’ Week 3
Joe Tippmann: Performance and Role on the Jets Offensive Line
Joe Tippmann,drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft,was initially projected to develop and likely serve as the top backup on the offensive line. While his path to a starting role was accelerated by injury, his performance and the overall struggles of the Jets’ offensive line are under scrutiny.
Early Season Adjustments and Current Performance
When alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending injury,it triggered a shift in the offensive line,moving Tippmann to right guard and solidifying Tippmann’s starting position at center. Week 1 showed promise, but the line has faced significant challenges in the subsequent weeks, particularly in establishing a consistent running game.
Despite the team’s struggles, Tippmann’s individual performance has been relatively strong, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). As of September 25, 2023, PFF grades him ninth among all centers, 13th in run blocking, and 10th in pass blocking [PFF]. Though, both Tippmann and the offensive line as a whole need to improve to address the team’s overall issues.
Jets Offensive Line Pressure Rate
The Jets are currently allowing a pressure rate of 50%, which is the highest in the NFL [TruMedia]. This high pressure rate indicates significant issues in pass protection and contributes to the team’s offensive struggles. Addressing this issue is crucial for the Jets’ success.
Challenges and Areas for Advancement
While Tippmann’s individual PFF grades are encouraging, the offensive line’s collective performance is hindering the Jets’ offense. Improving communication, run blocking schemes, and pass protection techniques are key areas for improvement. The line needs to gel as a unit to provide better support for quarterback Zach Wilson and the running backs.
Looking Ahead
Joe Tippmann has shown potential as a starting center for the Jets, but his success is intertwined with the overall performance of the offensive line. The Jets coaching staff will need to focus on improving the line’s cohesion and technique to reduce the pressure on Wilson and create a more effective running game. Continued development from Tippmann, combined with improvements from his fellow linemen, will be critical for the Jets’ offensive success throughout the remainder of the 2023 season.