The 1985 Chicago Bears, the 2013 Seattle Seahawks, and… the 2023 New York Jets? Jets cornerback D.J. Reed believes that his unit has what it takes to be mentioned among the best defenses in NFL history. Reed expressed his confidence on a Zoom call with reporters, stating, “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 statement is undeniably bold and is sure to catch the attention of their opponents, the Buffalo Bills, who possess the No. 2 scoring offense in 2022. The Jets will face the Bills on “Monday Night Football” in their season opener. While the Jets’ defense is returning eight starters from a unit that ranked No. 4 in scoring and No. 4 in yards allowed, Reed’s comparison to the ’85 Bears and ’13 Seahawks took it a step further. Both of those teams went on to win the Super Bowl and redefined defense in their respective eras.
Reed has a strong belief in the Jets’ potential greatness. He credits their defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, as the best in the league and praises the smart and seasoned group of players, particularly in the secondary. The Jets also have three Pro Bowl players in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker C.J. Mosley, and cornerback Sauce Gardner. This combination of coaching, experience, and talent fuels Reed’s confidence in their ability to achieve historical defensive greatness.
Defensive end John Franklin-Myers supports Reed’s claim, stating, “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.” The Jets’ players are vocal about their aspirations and refuse to shy away from their goals. However, Mosley, the team’s defensive captain, urges caution in making such bold comparisons. He views it as a significant statement to put the Jets in the same sentence as the legendary ’85 Bears. Mosley acknowledges that words are meaningless without action.
While confidence is essential, the Jets understand that they must back up their bold claims on the field. Mosley emphasizes that it is a long season, and they need to prove themselves consistently throughout. He challenges his teammates to put on a show and hopes that by the end of the year, people will be talking about the greatness of the 2023 Jets defense. There’s no doubt that the Jets have the right pieces in place, from skillful coaches to the right personnel, but it’s now a matter of translating potential into results.
One area that requires improvement is takeaways. Despite their impressive defensive ranking, the Jets struggled to generate turnovers last season, only recording 16 takeaways, the 29th rank in the league. Franklin-Myers recognizes the significance of this statistic and believes that an improvement in this area can elevate the Jets from being the No. 4 to the No. 1 defense. Generating turnovers will be a key focus for the Jets as they seek to establish their dominance on the field.
Reed, who was born after the ’85 Bears, describes himself as a fan of great defense. He imparts a sense of urgency to win now, emphasizing the understanding that opportunities like this are rare. The Jets have a well-built roster, including a Hall of Fame quarterback. Reed believes that they must seize this opportunity and maximize their potential as a team. Celebrations can come at the end of the season when they hold up that trophy, and that is the ultimate goal for the Jets.
The New York Jets are confident in their ability to become a historical defense in the NFL. While their bold claims may raise eyebrows, the Jets have the talent, coaching, and belief in themselves to achieve greatness. However, talk and potential must be translated into on-field performance for their aspirations to be validated. The 2023 Jets defense has the opportunity to etch their names alongside legendary defensive units, but the journey to greatness is a long and challenging one.
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