Imagine finishing a project that would vault you to the short list for a huge promotion at your job only to be told “it was worth a B”. That’s apparently how Pro Football Focus views the New York Jets' offseason.

Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus handed out letter grades for each team’s respective offseason’s and he gave the Jets a “B”:

On the one hand, Aaron Rodgers is the kind of upgrade at quarterback you can only dream of, light years better than any alternative the Jets could have pursued. On the other hand, the trade they had to agree to in order to secure his services seems to reflect that. Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb were veteran receiver additions designed to make Rodgers happy, while Elijah Moore was traded away to Cleveland to make room. Wes Schweitzer can start along the offensive line if needed and helps give them some depth there.

In the draft, Will McDonald IV was seen as a reach by most but has elite potential in Robert Saleh’s defense. He recorded a 16.8% pass-rush win rate last season despite lining up in a more interior spot that doesn’t suit his skill set on almost half of his snaps. Joe Tippmann could start from Day 1 at center or guard, and the rest of the draft featured more depth additions.

Let’s start with the positive. And let’s start the positive by talking about the move of the offseason for any team this year: Aaron Rodgers. Matt Stafford joined a team that was close and then they won a Super Bowl. Tom Brady joined a team that was close and then won a Super Bowl. Why couldn’t it work with the Jets?

Rodgers has a claim to be considered one of the greatest of all time. He plays his best football with a chip on his shoulder and the way this offseason played out, he looks at it like an entire quarry is sitting on shoulders. It would be foolish to consider anyone currently on the Jets as good as Davonte Adams, but top to bottom, this is the best weapons Rodgers has had in his career. 

Rodgers has also never had a defense like this one. He’s played with some decent defenses, but this is one that can literally win a game for you (just ask the Zack Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White about the 7 wins from 2022). 

Add to Rodgers a true red-zone threat in Allen Lazard and a do it all weapon like Mecole Hardman and you have a versatile offense that can score in a lot of different ways helmed by a guy whose ticket to Canton is already punched.

On the defensive side Will McDonald was a bit of head scratcher, but if the kid does one thing really well, and that one thing is get to the quarterback, then it’s worth it.

On the negative side, it would have been nice to see the Jets upgrade at the offensive tackle position. It would be wrong to say they are bad at OT, but it would be accurate to say there are question marks. If Becton returns to form and stays healthy a lot of those questions are answered. Max Mitchell and Billy Turner could be viable replacements if not, but it will be up to Nathaniel Hackett and new O-Line coach Keith Carter to get this unit functioning.

Is the Jets roster perfect? No. No roster is. You would like to see the Jets improve at the S and LB position and add a little more depth at DT. But the Jets problems are nothing compared to some of the issues facing other teams. And a QB of Rodgers’ stature hides a lot of blemishes. 

For one team to vault themselves from being in the conversation to make the playoffs, to being in the conversation to win the Super Bowl is as clear cut an “A” offseason as you can get. It’s a shame Mr. Monson didn’t like the backup guard signing enough to give the Jets the grade they deserve.