The New York Jets find themselves in a complicated position four games into the regular season. While a 1-3 record is likely not what head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey imagined when they plotted their trajectory for the year, there are encouraging signs beneath the surface. The primary takeaway from this early stretch is that the aggressive moves made during the offseason appear to be paying dividends, particularly on a defense that had completely collapsed during the closing weeks of the previous campaign.

The transformation on the defensive side of the ball has been stark. After finishing last in yards allowed late last year, the Jets have climbed to 11th in both yards and points allowed. Much of this turnaround can be attributed to veterans like Demario Davis, whose leadership and productivity remain elite despite being 37 years old. Davis recently became only the second player in franchise history to record ten tackles and a sack in consecutive games. Supporting him are impactful additions like Kingsley Enagbare, who boasts one of the best run-defense grades in the league, and Dane Belton, who has flourished as a high-volume tackler in the secondary.

On offense, the acquisition of veteran quarterback Geno Smith has provided much-needed stability to a unit that previously struggled just to stay on schedule. Smith currently holds a league-leading completion percentage for Jets quarterbacks since the merger, helping move New York toward a top-fifteen offensive success rate. While first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. has unfortunately been sidelined by an ankle injury after showing flashes of brilliance, tight end Kenyon Sadiq has integrated quickly into the system despite missing most of training camp.

As New York looks forward to their upcoming clash with Cleveland, they will have to contend with a dangerous Browns receiving corps led by rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. These young playmakers have revitalized Deshaun Watson’s career and established themselves as immediate threats across the field. For a Jets team trying to climb out of an early hole, neutralizing these emerging stars will be critical if they want their improved statistical trends to translate into more wins in the standings.