The New York Jets are hoping that the 2024 NFL season will be much better than 2023 after injuries to key players derailed their hopes of competing in the playoffs.
Losing Aaron Rodgers was the largest blow the team took, though injuries along the offensive line also made their offense a trainwreck for large stretches during the regular season.
However, general manager Joe Douglas didn’t waste time in the offseason bolstering the roster as he made several moves to address the quarterback and offensive line depth in free agency.
Douglas also addressed more needs through the 2024 NFL Draft by bringing in some talent on both sides of the ball.
After the draft wrapped up, New York made a flurry of undrafted free agent signings that will look to compete for a roster spot come training camp.
One player that Douglas is particularly excited about is former Army standout Jimmy Ciarlo who quickly grew on the general manager via Paul Andrew Esden Jr. of The Score 1260.
“JD said they learned about him from their local pro day, ‘it didn’t take long watching the guys go through linebacker drills, like okay look at this guy’ + an undersized linebacker of the style they like + ‘he plays fast, furious.’”
One of #Jets GM Joe Douglas’ favorite UDFA signings was @ArmyWP_Football LB @ciarlo_jimmy:
‘Getting him in my office just spending some time with him I told him, I’ve got a new nickname for you bud, it’s Jimmy ‘choo choo train’, you’re Jimmy ‘chooch.’ 🤣
JD said they learned… pic.twitter.com/S0FtgzCZBl
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 5, 2024
Ciarlo was way down most draft boards because of his size and lack of high-level production, but his athletic traits seemed to entice Douglas enough to make him a priority signing.
Ciarlo has an uphill battle to make the Jets’ final 53-man roster, but a strong showing in training camp and preseason could at least land him on the practice squad.
