Almost A Jet: Take A Deep Dive Into What Could Have Been, And Preseason Analysis Of Leaders And Laggards In 2025

Tune into a new JetUp Miami feature where we go deep in the statistical weeds. We might not be numbers crazy like baseball fans. But we'll do our best.

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Do you know who coulda been, shoulda been a Jet that the team regrets to this day?

DL Fletcher Cox is one good example of almost a Jet, before he flew off to somewhere else.

Newly acquired QB 1 Justing Fields was almost a Jet, then actually became one, recently signing a two-year deal with the green and white, now nursing a dislocated toe.

Others rumored to be almost a Jet who ultimately signed elsewhere include Lawrence Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Reggie White and Antoine Winfield.

Each situation had a different look, and not at all a miscue by the team.

In Taylor’s case, late season success stopped them from selecting the hall of famer high enough in the draft to corral him. Chalk that one up to bad luck, something the team is quite familiar with.

The Jet planned to draft Kamara in the second round but got cock-blocked by another team in that draft.

Winfield reportedly agreed to sign with the Jets then got cold feet and inked a deal with the Vikings.

White signed with the eagles after considering hooking up with the Jets.

Oh, what could have been.

In the team’s defense, these scenarios happen with every team. But it’s still fun to ponder what could have and should have happened. Another Super Bowl perhaps?

While player preseason stats are not officially kept by the team, or the NFL, we work our sources, including reports from beat reporters with boots on the ground and first-hand knowledge.