To improve their performance last year, the New York Jets are getting creative on defense. During his first offseason as a general manager, Darren Mougey wants to provide Aaron Glenn with as much talent as possible. To maximize this talent, New York is getting creative after seeing a recently signed veteran change positions. Looking to rebound his career, recently signed Rashad Weaver has moved from outside linebacker to defensive end. During this process, the Jets are optimistic that this position change will benefit both Weaver and the team’s front-seven rotation. Should it become fruitful, the team’s pass rush will greatly benefit if Weaver can recapture the play that made him stand out in college.
Free Agent’s Position Change Opens Big Opportunity for Jets
After years of having an elite defense, 2024 was a tough time for the New York Jets defense. While the team still featured a talented roster, they were unable to sustain the elite production established during Robert Saleh’s tenure. Add in changes to the rotation, Haason Reddick’s lengthy holdout, and Jermaine Johnson’s season-ending injury, and thus, the defensive line has a chip on their shoulder. Looking to course correct, New York will need help. Fortunately, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is still dominant, and Will McDonald IV finished with his first 10.5 sack season. The duo of Johnson and McDonald represents a talented duo off the edge for New York; however, depth will determine their maximum impact.
Along with drafting Tyler Baron out of Miami in the 5th round, New York made another addition at defensive end this offseason. On St Patrick’s Day, New York signed veteran free agent outside linebacker Rashad Weaver. The fourth-year veteran signed with the team after splitting 2024 between the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams practice squads. Initially a fourth-round pick in 2021, Weaver was drafted by the Tennessee Titans. Although he never became a full-time starter, Weaver has pass-rushing upside that can be useful in this unit.
Rashad Weaver moving to Defensive End benefits the Jets Defense
Entering 2025 with a rookie head coach, the Jets defense will need to step up in support of Aaron Glenn. Fortunately, New York has the talent to recover from last season’s disaster. However, depth is going to be crucial. Jermaine Johnson’s torn Achilles can’t be taken lightly. They will need multiple players to rotate in and out to preserve the energy. As a result, they will need someone other than Micheal Clemons to provide more production off the sidelines.
This is where Rashad Weaver’s importance comes to fruition. Prior to joining the NFL, Rashad Weaver was a standout defensive lineman at the University of Pittsburgh. Despite a torn ACL robbing his junior year in 2019, Weaver recorded two seasons with over six & a half sacks in 2018 & 2020. As a result of his seven & a half sacks and 15 tackles for losses, Weaver was named a consensus All-American in 2020. After being selected in the fourth round, Weaver saw limited action after a broken fibula forced him to miss 15 games in his rookie season.
While his tenure with the Tennessee Titans lasted three seasons, Weaver showed great promise in 2022. That season, Weaver ended the year starting four games and recorded 5.5 sacks. If Weaver can get back to this production, Weaver could provide substantial relief for New York. Compared to their 2023 total of 48 sacks, the Jets had five fewer sacks in 2024 with 43. After finishing with a worse record in 2024, Weaver’s availability and sacks could have come in handy last season.
Weaver is a small step in the right direction
Pinning all of the Jets defensive line issues would be foolish. But that shouldn’t minimize the contributions he’s made thus far. Well regarded as a team-oriented guy and quality teammate, Weaver is earning the trust of this coaching staff. Fortunately for Weaver, the Jets defensive staff is full of veteran voices to work with. Besides Aaron Glenn, the Jets have a defensive coordinator with 16 seasons of experience in Steve Wilks. Defensive line coach Eric Washington is entering his 17th season in the league. Weaver has decades’ worth of knowledge to work off of with this staff. With that kind of experience right at his fingertips, he can make the most out of all his snaps.
A wave of a wand and a snap of the fingers won’t solve all the Jets defensive issues. But any bit of positive momentum helps long-term. Striving to right the wrongs of a 14-year playoff drought, the Jets need to be diligent. By all accounts, the new regime has set the tone culturally. Now, it all depends on the execution of this initial run. If proven successful, Aaron Glenn will have a great foundation on which to build in the future.
Main Photo: [Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean] – USA Today Sports
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