The New York Jets came into training camp with the wide receiver position as one of strength. But it’s quickly and not so quietly become a weakness for a team that needs other options to emerge opposite of Garrett Wilson, who has fought through injuries to put together quite the sophomore campaign.
This offseason, Jets general manager Joe Douglas brought in players like Mecole Hardman, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb, to complement the likes of Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis. That plan has seemingly blown up in their faces. Hardman never found a role for himself and was shipped back to Kansas City. Lazard has yet to live up to his contract and has had issues with drops and penalties. Cobb has been a healthy scratch for most of the season, and oh yeah, Davis elected to step away from the game of football a few weeks prior to the season.
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
So with that, the Jets have an obvious need for the wide receiver and have opted to go with getting younger players involved like Xavier Gipson and Malik Taylor, rather than make a splashy move. They stood pat at the trade deadline a few weeks ago, but an opportunity has presented itself in the form of a familiar face.
That would be Robbie Chosen a.k.a. Robbie Anderson, who was a fan favorite back when he played with Gang Green from 2016-19. Anderson, who left in free agency to sign with the Carolina Panthers and his former college head coach Matt Rhule, now finds himself a free agent again, and the Jets have a need at the receiver position.
Anderson, who has spent time between the practice squad and active roster with the Miami Dolphins, was officially granted his release earlier this week. On the season, the Temple product had just one reception (two targets) for 68 yards and a touchdown. His lone catch on the season came in a 70-20 drubbing of the Denver Broncos back in September.
Jets coach Robert Saleh was asked about a potential addition of Anderson Friday.
“He has a fastball. Whenever a player has a fastball he’s worth exploring,” Saleh said, via Connor Hughes of SNY.
Across four seasons with the Jets, Anderson hauled in 207 passes for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. At the very least, he’s worth taking a flier on, especially when considering his previous history with the team. Anderson’s ability to take the top off a defense could open up things underneath for an offense that has struggled with Zach Wilson under center.
While Saleh seemed intrigued by the reunion, it remains to be seen if New York’s front office feels the same.
