Darren Mougey Reviews Jets’ 53-Man Roster, WR Moves, and Fields’ Growth

The New York Jets completed their roster cutdown this week, and general manager Darren Mougey spoke Thursday about the team’s moves. It was his first training camp and first final-cuts process as general manager. Mougey said, “It was a great month of training camp, a great process here at the end. I feel really good about the guys we were able to keep. And the process doesn’t end today. The roster is fluid.… So we’ll continue to work upstairs to see if we can add players that we think will help our team and add competition to every position room.”

The Jets finalized a roster of 53 active players, 16 practice squad players, and one International Pathway player. Mougey said, “It’s always a puzzle and a roster kind of juggle. How do we keep the best 70, what are the mechanisms we can use to do so. And being able to keep those guys on the practice squad and in the boat to continue to develop but be available for potential elevations on gameday. It worked out for us and I’m excited about it.”

The wide receiver group had several developments. Garrett Wilson signed an extension in July and is the lead receiver. Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, and Tyler Johnson were kept as players who have “all played in the league and had success,” according to Mougey. Arian Smith was drafted in the fourth round in April and brings speed. Xavier Gipson also provides speed and can play inside. Four receivers — Jamaal Pritchett, Quentin Skinner, Brandon Smith, and Tyler Johnson — were waived at final cuts but returned as members of the practice squad.

Mougey said, “I like the room as a whole. Obviously it starts with Garrett, and I look forward to seeing him this year. We’ll move him around. He can do it all. Then I think we’ve got pieces that complement each other there. We have three guys in Josh Reynolds, [Allen] Lazard, Tyler Johnson, they’ve all played in the league and had success. Then you’ve got the speed piece with Arian [Smith]. And Gip [Xavier Gipson] has got speed, he can play inside — we’ll find ways to get him some touches as well.”

Player personnel director Robbie Paton said of Arian Smith, “Really, really excited about this player from OTAs to training camp and into the preseason. You’ve seen him just get better and better and better. He’s really going to feel like a guy that’s going to make an impact early in the season for us at receiver, giving us that explosive, take-the-top-off element on offense.”

Online sportsbooks posted odds for the Jets’ Week 1 game and season outlook. FanDuel listed the Jets at +2.5 (-105) against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the Steelers at -2.5 (-115), a total of 38.5, and moneyline at Steelers -142 and Jets +120. DraftKings listed the Steelers -3 (-102), Jets +3 (-118), a total of 38.5, and moneyline at Steelers -155 and Jets +130. BetMGM listed the Steelers -3 (-102), Jets +3 (-118), a total of 38, and moneyline at Steelers -150 and Jets +125. Caesars listed the moneyline near Steelers -155 and Jets +130.

Opening numbers in the spring were Steelers -3 with a total of 39.5. Current futures odds place the Jets at +25,000 to win the Super Bowl, between +10,000 and +12,500 to win the AFC, and between +1,700 and +2,000 to win the AFC East. Make playoffs markets are listed at +490, and regular season win totals range from 5.5 to 6.5. Justin Fields’ MVP odds are +10,000, and his season passing yard total is between 2,550.5 and 2,600.5.

The defensive line also changed. The Jets traded for Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs. Mougey said of Phillips, “We feel strong about that. We know exactly what we’re getting in that player. He’ll help specifically in the run game, but he’s an experienced player that has had a lot of success.” He said of Briggs, “He played last year and had success as well.” Jay Tufele and Leonard Taylor III contributed during training camp and preseason. Quinnen Williams is a team captain. Mougey said, “The whole group all five, and it obviously starts with Quinnen [Williams] up front, who’s also a team captain. But the group as a whole I think complements each other well.”

Quarterback Justin Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets in the offseason. He played three seasons with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the first round in 2021, and spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mougey was asked if Fields could be successful in his third stop.

Mougey said, “I do believe Justin can be one of those guys. I’ve seen the progress during this camp and look forward to seeing this progress throughout the season as they all come together. This is his third stop in three years with three different coordinators and a lot of moving parts, so it does take time. But I like where it’s at and I look forward to watching the progress.” Mougey also said, “I’ve seen him improve every day and specifically this past week we’ve really seen good rhythm out at practice with the offense — a balanced attack, some run, some pass. But just the overall operation, his command, his leadership. … Seeing that growth has been really good.”

The Jets named their 2025 team captains on Thursday: Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Quinnen Williams, Jamien Sherwood, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball. Quinnen Williams was the only returning captain from last year.

The Jets waived offensive lineman Marquis Hayes and signed him to the practice squad the next day.