The New York Jets are setting high expectations for their defense in the 2023 NFL season. Cornerback D.J. Reed believes that their unit has the potential to be mentioned among the best in NFL history. Reed stated, “I think we have the potential to be the best defense in the NFL. Honestly, I think we can be historical, not just the best defense in the league, but I think we can be a historical defense like the ’85-’86 Bears and the LOB [Seahawks’ Legion of Boom] in 2013.”
Reed’s bold statement has caught the attention of many, including their upcoming opponent, the Buffalo Bills. The Jets will face the Bills, who had the second-best scoring offense in 2022, on “Monday Night Football” in their season opener. The Jets’ defense is returning eight starters from a unit that ranked fourth in scoring and yards allowed last season. With such a strong foundation, it’s not a stretch to think that they can compete for the top spot.
Reed attributes his confidence to the Jets’ defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, whom he believes is the best in the league. He also praises the talent and experience within the team, especially in the secondary. The Jets boast three Pro Bowl players in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker C.J. Mosley, and cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Defensive end John Franklin-Myers supports Reed’s claim, saying, “We’re not afraid to sit here and go out on a limb and say we want to win the Super Bowl or we want to be the best defense in the NFL.” However, Mosley, voted as the defensive captain, takes a more measured approach. He acknowledges that it’s a big comparison to put the Jets in the same sentence as the ’85 Bears but emphasizes that they must back up their words with actions throughout the season.
One area that needs improvement for the Jets’ defense is takeaways. Despite their strong performance last season, they only managed 16 takeaways, ranking 29th in the league. Franklin-Myers believes that improving in this area will be the key to taking their defense from fourth to first.
Reed, who was born 11 years after the ’85 Bears, describes himself as a fan of great defense. He recognizes the urgency to win now with a team that has a well-built roster and a Hall of Fame quarterback. Reed believes that opportunities like this don’t come around often, so they must maximize their potential.
Franklin-Myers echoes Reed’s sentiment, stating that it’s time for the Jets to show everybody what they’re capable of. Their plan is to celebrate when they’re holding up the trophy at the end of the year.
The Jets’ defense certainly has the talent and potential to be one of the best in the league. With a strong foundation of returning starters and a confident mindset, they have set their sights on making history. However, they understand that talk is cheap, and they must back up their words with actions on the field.
The Jets’ season opener against the Bills will be a true test of their defensive capabilities. If they can shut down the Bills’ high-powered offense, it will be a statement to the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Jets’ defense to see if they can live up to their lofty expectations. If they can continue to perform at a high level and improve in areas like takeaways, there’s no doubt that they have the potential to be mentioned among the best defenses in NFL history.
Only time will tell if the 2023 New York Jets can join the ranks of the ’85 Bears and the ’13 Seahawks. But one thing is for sure, they are determined to leave their mark on the league and make their defense one for the history books.