The Jets’ defense finished last season ranked No. 4 in yards and points allowed.
They have loftier goals this year.
“That’s the goal to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL,” defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said Wednesday. “We’ve got the guys in our room, guys who had phenomenal talent last year and are getting better every single day now, who can be better than they were last year.
“We’ve got guys who haven’t even scratched the surface last year who can be better.”
Williams just signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension, locking up a key piece of that defense.
The Jets also have the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, cornerback Sauce Gardner, coming back for his second season.
Those two are the young cornerstones of a defense that includes C.J. Mosley, D.J. Reed and Carl Lawson in starring roles.
“Why not?” Mosley said when asked if they can be the best defense in football. “We put in the work. So, why not go for the best, why not try to be the best?”
Reed said he believes the defense will benefit from having Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback for the team because the Jets will be in the lead more and opponents will be forced to take more chances.
“I think it’s going to be better for our defense,” Reed said. “Personally, I think that we’re going to be able to generate more turnovers because of it. If the offense is doing what they’re supposed to be doing, we’re going to be up some of the time or most of the time.
“That’s going to make the offense on the other side be aggressive.”
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker said he is ready to go for training camp after he suffered a season-ending torn triceps last year.
“I’m feeling great,” Vera-Tucker said. “I had all offseason to rehab and get right and get back to full strength. I feel like that’s where I’m at right now. I’m excited to get back to work with the guys.”
Vera-Tucker said he does not anticipate any restrictions.
The Jets will have their first training camp practice Thursday.
Vera-Tucker played right guard, right tackle and left tackle last season before his Week 7 injury.
He said he plans on sticking at right guard this year.
Williams gave an unsolicited prediction on who the Jets’ breakout player will be this season.
“Jermaine Johnson, a guy who scratched the surface last year in things he can do,” Williams said. “Now, he’s bigger, stronger, faster, smarter when it comes to the scheme. To see that, that young guy right there took the initiative this offseason to get way better.
“I know he’s going to have a breakout year this year.”
Johnson, a first-round pick in 2022, played a limited role as a rookie, but should have a bigger role in the defensive line rotation this season.
The Jets signed first-round pick Will McDonald and second-round pick Joe Tippmann to their rookie contracts. … RB Breece Hall, WR Randall Cobb, TE C.J. Uzomah and DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse were all placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start training camp. They can be activated at any time.
