So this past Thursday on JetNation radio, we took a look at five reasons why the Jets will be worse in 2025 than they were in ’24.  So today, taking a stab at a more optimistic outlook, we’re going to look at the opposite side of the coin and discuss what it would take for Gang Green to make a playoff run.

What are the five factors that can help get it done?

5. The Schedule:

Yes, teams change from year to year and you shouldn’t expect the same results from every club in the NFL.  However, the Jets schedule this year is particularly weak as their opponents had a 2024 combined winning percentage of .460.  Games against the Jaguars, Saints, Panthers and Browns are all winnable games.  If the Steelers don’t add a quarterback before week 1, you can add them to that list.  And who in the world knows what’s going on in Miami with the Dolphins, whom the Jets split with last season?  Hardly a murderers row of opponents.

4. Aaron Glenn:

Glenn has proven nothing as a head coach, but one thing we’ve seen early on is that when it comes to how he treats his players, it won’t be a case of trying to be everybody’s best friend.  Robert Saleh concerned himself far too much with being everyone’s pal.  Glenn will treat his players with respect, but guys will be benched for poor performance and those benchings won’t come with a ten minute speech about how much he loves the player come press conference time.  Accountability is back.

3. Breakout season for Breece and the Backs:

As a rookie, former second-round pick Breece Hall looked as if he was on his way to becoming one of the top running backs in the NFL.  However, multiple injuries and clueless coaches have held him back.  Should he remain healthy in 2025, expect Glenn to use him early and often.  Hall will also be joined in the backfield by several other talented backs in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.  We would also suggest you not rule out undrafted free agent Donovan Edwards, who has a chance to make this roster and some big plays along with it.

A grossly underrated aspect of @nyjets UDFA RB Donovan Edwards' game is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

Was rarely asked to for Michigan, but when given the chance showed he can be a factor.

Still hared to believe he went undrafted. pic.twitter.com/uZyr4unKZ4

— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) May 8, 2025

2. Justin Fields being a legitimate dual threat quarterback:

Having discussed the headaches elite running quarterbacks pose for defensive coordinators, Aaron Glenn wanted one of his own.   In Justin Fields he’s got a guy who is a top two or three runner at the position.  While his struggles as a passer are well-documented, it’s fair to say he should be the best version of himself we’ve seen IF the Jets stick to their plan.  That plan being, to let Fields play to his strengths and not ask him to do things he’s less comfortable doing.

1. The Offensive Line:

This should be the best young offensive line the Jets have had in forever.  Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker and rookie Armand Membou should be one of the top groups in the NFL.  And as the saying goes, it all starts up front.  The Jets should have good enough personnel up front to give Justin Fields time to throw, and their running backs room to run.