Now that the offseason is over, it’s time to update you on former Jets players and how they’ve been faring with their current teams. We will cover this in three parts, looking at offense today, then defense and finally special teams over the next few days.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Giants:
Guard Greg Van Roten was re-signed and ended up as a starter again by default after Evan Neal’s conversion to guard didn’t go as well as planned.
Neal was initially working with the first team but fell off once the pads went on.
Also: Running back Jonathan Ward was picked up and rushed for 47 yards on 13 carries in preseason but wasn’t retained.
Commanders:
Two ex-Jets made the active roster as offensive lineman George Fant was a late addition and quarterback Josh Johnson held the number two role throughout camp. He completed 28 of 44 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown in preseason but with three interceptions.
Also: Tight end Lawrence Cager caught five passes for 54 yards in preseason to earn a practice squad spot and running back Donovan Edwards also got added to the practice squad. Guard Nate Herbig retired though.
Cowboys:
The only ex-Jet offensive player on the Dallas roster this offseason has been offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley but he wasn’t retained.
Eagles:
Tight end EJ Jenkins caught five passes for 41 yards in preseason and was retained on the practice squad.
Packers:
Green Bay retained two offensive players that used to be Jets on their practice squad in running back Israel Abanikanda and wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Abanikanda led the NFL in preseason with 267 kickoff return yards on 10 attempts. He also carried 24 times for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Vikings:
Running back Xazavian Valladay ended up on the practice squad after rushing for 39 yards on eight carries in preseason.
Also: Quarterback Brett Rypien and offensive lineman Zack Bailey were not retained.
Bears:
Offensive lineman Chris Glaser was on the practice squad last year and signed a futures deal but was not retained.
Lions:
Wide receiver Kalif Raymond remains on the roster for a fifth season with Detroit. He is joined by offensive lineman Trystan Colon on the practice squad and tight end Kenny Yeboah on injured reserve.
Bucs:
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater came out of retirement to reunite with Todd Bowles and won the number two role after completing six of 11 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns in preseason.
Saints:
The Saints also had Valladay on their roster earlier on in the offseason but they released him in June.
Panthers:
Wide receiver TJ Luther was not retained despite catching three passes for 49 yards in preseason.
Falcons:
Atlanta didn’t have any ex-Jets on offense in camp, but they added offensive tackle Carter Warren to their practice squad after the Jets released him.
Rams:
The Rams acquired wide receiver Davante Adams during the offseason and he’s expected to have a big year in Los Angeles.
Seahawks: Seattle shipped out one former Jets bust and replaced him with another when they traded Geno Smith to Las Vegas and then signed Sam Darnold. Darnold completed all four passes he attempted in preseason, for 34 yards.
Also: They had Fant on their roster but released him back in March.
Cardinals:
Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum and wide receiver Greg Dortch were both re-signed and once again made the roster for 2025. They will be joined by Bam Knight who won a roster spot when he rushed for 138 yards on 12 carries in preseason. That included a 68-yard touchdown.
Knight beat out Michael Carter for the role as Carter was held to 77 yards on 20 carries in preseason but they did retain him on the practice squad.
49ers:
The 49ers have two ex-Jets on their practice squad; quarterback Adrian Martinez and wide receiver Robbie Chosen. It’s a surprising return for Chosen, who had 92 yards on five catches in the first preseason game and four more catches in the other two.
Also: Abanikanda was on the roster during the offseason but was released right at the start of camp.
Bills:
Running back Ty Johnson was re-signed by the Bills after a solid 2024 campaign. He had 26 yards on three carries in preseason.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore made the roster after signing for them in free agency and offensive lineman Dan Feeney will be on the practice squad.
Also: Quarterback Mike White only completed 12 of 24 passes in preseason but for 166 yards and two touchdowns. That wasn’t enough for him to retain a spot.
Dolphins:
The Dolphins were obviously impressed by quarterback Zach Wilson and his ability to pass to ball to players in a Miami jersey over the past few seasons. He won their backup role after going 29 for 45 for 327 yards and a touchdown in preseason.
Also: Offensive linemen Obinna Eze and Yodny Cajuste ended up on injured reserve and wide receiver Tarik Black was not retained after camp. Running back Raheem Mostert was a cap casualty back in February.
Patriots:
Offensive lineman Morgan Moses was signed in free agency and will start for New England at right tackle.
Also: New England also brought in another offensive lineman, Alec Lindstrom, for their practice squad.
Steelers:
Offensive lineman Calvin Anderson made the Steelers roster and is currently listed as their second team left tackle.
Pittsburgh also signed some guy called Aaron Rodgers. He did not play in preseason.
Also: Tight end Kevin Foelsch and wide receiver Lance McCutcheon were not retained, despite McCutcheon catching five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in preseason. In addition, Ward was cut earlier on in the offseason.
Browns:
Quarterback Joe Flacco is back in Cleveland and won their starting role after completing 9 of 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in preseason.
Tight end Brenden Bates and wide receiver Malachi Corley were added to the practice squad.
Also: Offensive lineman Brady Latham was not retained.
Bengals:
Rypien was added to the Bengals’ practice squad after the Vikings opted not to retain him. He had completed 15 of 29 passes for 151 yards with an interception in preseason with Minnesota.
Ravens:
The Ravens haven’t had any offensive players who were ex-Jets on their roster this offseason.
Titans:
Offensive lineman Blake Hance is currently listed as the Titans’ second team right guard after making the roster out of training camp.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian and offensive lineman Corey Levin were both retained on the practice squad.
Also: Siemian replaced Tim Boyle in preseason after Boyle was 4 for 13 for 24 yards with two interceptions. Siemian ended up going 8 for 13 for 65 yards.
Colts:
Wide receiver DJ Montgomery was on the Colts’ roster but he ended up on injured reserve.
Jaguars:
Offensive lineman Chuma Edoga signed a two-year deal in free agency and is expected to back up at guard for the Jaguars.
Also: Quarterback John Wolford was not retained
Texans:
Guard Laken Tomlinson and wide receiver Braxton Berrios are both on Houston’s active roster. Tomlinson will start after a good preseason and Berrios will come off the bench on offense but is listed as the starting punt returner.
Also: Offensive lineman Austin Deculus was traded to the Chargers and fellow offensive lineman Conor McDermott was not retained after both struggled in preseason.
Chiefs:
Wide receiver Jason Brownlee made the final roster after a preseason which included a touchdown catch from Patrick Mahomes.
Also: Foelsch was released in June, just 10 days after signing a one-year deal. Another tight end, Anthony Firkser, was not retained.
Raiders:
The Raiders traded for Geno Smith and he will start for them after going 9 for 14 for 96 yards and a touchdown in preseason. Las Vegas also added running back Raheem Mostert, who spent less than a week on the Jets’ practice squad several years ago.
Chargers:
After an outstanding year with the Eagles, Mekhi Becton remains at guard and will start for the Chargers. He’ll reunite with tight end Tyler Conklin who will also start for them.
They also added tackle Austin Deculus via trade from Houston.
Broncos:
Finally, Denver is another team that has had no ex-Jets on offense during the offseason.
