The 2025 offseason has been one of change for the New York Jets. Having moved on from general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh during the 2024 season, the team then cut ties with both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams in March.
The Jets hired Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn as their new general manager and head coach, respectively, before bringing in Justin Fields at quarterback. That leaves Adams as the only one of the aforementioned four who has yet to be replaced. In a recent article for PFSN, Brandon Austin pointed to a five-time Pro Bowler as the man to fill the void left by the former Green Bay Packers receiver.
New York Jets Linked With Five-Time Pro Bowl Receiver
The Jets have added to their wide receiver room this offseason, bringing in veteran Josh Reynolds, who has familiarity with Glenn from their time together with the Detroit Lions. The Jets then selected Arian Smith in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Georgia product adding an explosive element to the offense.
Second-round pick Mason Taylor will be expected to aid the passing game from the tight end position, as will free-agent signing Stone Smartt. None of those additions, though, are likely to have as big an impact as Adams had last year. As tall a task as that may be, Austin believes one current free agent in particular has the tools to make a big impact in New York and soften the blow of Adams’ departure.
“Amari Cooper is not nearly the player he once was, but he could still be an upgrade for the Jets,” Austin wrote. “He does turn 31 before the season starts and will need to prove he still has enough left in the tank to have a feature role in an offense. Cooper has had a strong NFL career, recording more than 10,000 receiving yards. He’s long been viewed as a reliable go-to option, but things never materialized for him in Buffalo.
WOW AMARI COOPER.
📺: #NYJvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Erc076QOvv— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
“Cooper’s size, experience, and route-running ability should still attract a Jets offense that finished 20th in EPA per dropback and 21st in pass success rate. His ceiling isn’t what it used to be, but with Wilson leading the pack and a talented backfield that features Breece Hall, New York won’t need Cooper to be the top option.”
While Cooper won’t put the same fear into opposing defenses that Adams did in New York, his extensive résumé puts him well ahead of the rest of the team’s receivers after Wilson. A selfless player, Glenn won’t have to worry about restlessness from the veteran, who could well end up catching passes from Fields next season.