New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh watches his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in East Rutherford, NJ (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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When Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh were hired to turn the fortunes of the New York Jets, their consistent message was to build a strong front seven on the defensive side of football.
After their 20-17 upset win over the Buffalo Bills, it’s clear that the investments made by Douglas and Saleh have not only paid off, but positioned the Jets to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Against Buffalo, the Jets’ defensive line sacked Josh Allen five times and forced him into two major interceptions that turned the tide in New York’s victory. Jermaine Johnson, Quinnon Williams, and many others constantly pressured and forced the bills to be one-dimensional.
With their offensive woes and all the talk about playing quarterback, it’s the Jets’ defensive line that has consistently been the best part of the organization.
The New York defense is the top-five unit in all football in yards rushed per attempt, and net yards received per passing attempt. While Sous Gardner and DJ Reid may get credit for reversing the Jets’ fortunes on defense, it’s the defensive line that seems to be playing the biggest role right now.
That’s exactly how Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh envisioned it.
The team with the over in the Jets’ defensive line has the highest cap hit of any position group. $50 million investment across the group, Three of the four top cap hits for New York are from the defensive line and four of the total top seven cap hits.
Not everyone on the defensive line is producing as single key players. But it’s the key to the roster creation that Joe Douglas has built.
It’s also not that the Jets haven’t given star players to the position group to make the most of their chances. Quinnon Williams has been one of the best interior linesmen in all of football and has been a major reason for the Jets’ defensive success.
The defensive line is one of the only groups in football that can swing a game consistently to an underdog when there is talent. Super Bowls have been won because of pass rushers and physical runs dominated by defenders.
New York may not be a Super Bowl contender right now, but the defensive line is impressive enough to be a catalyst for a playoff run. That’s exactly what New York’s front office and coaching staff want it to be.
