The Jets Aren't Saying It Out Loud But The Tanking Seems To Have Already Started

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SOURCE - The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported that two guys the Jets are expected to pursue are Detroit Lions receiver Tim Patrick and Los Angeles Chargers receiver Josh Palmer.

"Through conversations with league sources in Indianapolis, I believe that some of the expected free-agent targets with ties to Glenn from his time in Detroit are being considered, including defensive tackle Levi Onwuzirike, wide receiver Tim Patrick, edge rusher Marcus Davenport, linebacker Derrick Barnes and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu," Rosenblatt said. "The Jets are also expected to dip into the mid-tier free agent market at wide receiver. A couple names they’re expected to show interest in as free agents, according to sources: Patrick and Josh Palmer (Chargers).

For a fan base very familiar (the most familiar?) with bad football, things look like they are going to be horrific for the Jets next year.

It's not just losing Davante Adams. Cornerback D.J. Reed (The Athletic has him as the 11th best free agent. it has Adams as the 4th) is out of here. So is Haason Reddick (26th) and likely Allen Lazard. Oh yeah, Aaron Rodgers (24th) is gone too. That's a lot of players to lose from a shitty team that went 5-12 last year. This isn't like losing some pieces from the '85 Bears. This Jets team sucked ass already. 

But what really struck me was this report by Rosenblatt. You're telling me a team with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback and all of these pieces going out the door…the first moves the Jets are looking at making are Tim Patrick and Josh Palmer? 

Gregory Shamus. Getty Images.

Poor Tim Patrick over the past three years total has the following stat line: 

1 ACL Tear

1 Achilles Tear

394 Receiving Yards

Oh, he's also going to be 32 years old. 

Don't get me wrong. I give Patrick a ton of credit for coming back from those injuries and working so hard. He was a really nice player for a very good Lions team last year. He's a perfect extra piece for a good team. He should be no one's free agent priority. 

Thurman James. Shutterstock Images.

So the Jets may not be saying it but they are clearly tanking if you judge their actions and not their words. And you know what?

They should be tanking!

I applaud the new GM Darren Mougey for not trying to pretend this is a good team. Rip shit down and start over. Go get as many draft assets as possible. It does no one any good to win 5 or 6 games. Is it possible the Jets finally have decent leadership with Mougey and new head coach Aaron Glenn?

Did they tie Woody Johnson up and hide him somewhere? It's the only explanation for common sense finding its way to Florham Park. Go ahead and sign Tim Patrick and Josh Palmer to short term deals. I understand that you have to at least field a team. 

The only real goal should be getting Arch Manning in green and white in 2026.