Snakebitten Jets hoping luck finally breaks their way in 2024

The Jets have spent training camp getting excited about the additions they have made this offseason.

Tyron Smith has looked like a massive upgrade at left tackle. Morgan Moses and John Simpson have come over from the Ravens and fortified the offensive line. Mike Williams gets healthier by the day and is expected to play Week 1. Rookie running back Braelon Allen has been a beast all training camp. On defense, Javon Kinlaw looks ready for a big year and Chuck Clark has returned from the ACL injury that cost him last season to give the Jets a thumper in the back end of the defense.

Then, there is Aaron Rodgers. The 40-year-old quarterback is not exactly a new addition to the team but it has felt like it after only seeing him for four snaps last season. Rodgers’ return and his brilliant play in most of the training camp practices has optimism overflowing in Florham Park.

But there is a question about whether the Jets can count on one more addition this fall. Will this team finally add Lady Luck to its side?

It is fun to break down the NFL season and try to make predictions about how things might go. You can use analytics or your gut. You can project statistics or study the schedule. But one thing you never know in August when you are going through that exercise is how lucky a team will be. Can they make it through the season without any major injuries to a key player? Will they get the benefit of a bad call or be the victim of one? Will the schedule line up where they end up playing 12 backup quarterbacks or will they catch teams coming in on a hot streak?

Around here, it is always a safe bet that things won’t go the Jets’ way. That is why even the most optimistic Jets fans still feels pangs of doubt right now. Cautious optimism is a phrase you hear often right now around the Jets.