"Moving without the ball" is a time-honored and valuable trait in the NBA, but the phrase works for such NFL notables as general managers, and in particular Darren Mougey, the Jets' first-year GM. The man they call "Mouge" has been hard at work behind the scenes this summer.

Mougey spoke publicly Thursday for the first time in a while about how his and his personnel team coordinated operations during his first training camp and first final-cuts process as the man in charge of a pro football front office. The short answer: He feels "blessed" about where the Jets sit Thursday with the new season just over the horizon.

"It was a great month of training camp, a great process here at the end," Mougey said. "I feel really good about the guys we were able to keep. And the process doesn't end today. The roster is fluid. ... So we'll continue to work upstairs to see if we can add players that we think will help our team and add competition to every position room."

One room that underwent significant developments this summer and will directly impact QB Justin Fields is the wide receivers room. WR1 Garrett Wilson signed an extension in July, all the receivers jockeyed for position for the past month, and three young wideouts — Jamaal Pritchett, Quentin Skinner and Brandon Smith — plus one veteran — Tyler Johnson — were final cuts, yet all have returned to the Jets as members of the practice squad.

"I like the room as a whole," Mougey said. "Obviously it starts with Garrett, and I look forward to seeing him this year. We'll move him around. He can do it all.

"Then I think we've got pieces that complement each other there. We have three guys in Josh Reynolds, [Allen] Lazard, Tyler Johnson, they've all played in the league and had success. Then you've got the speed piece with Arian [Smith]. And Gip [Xavier Gipson] has got speed, he can play inside — we'll find ways to get him some touches as well."

But the GM expects those young practice-squad WRs to play roles as well.

"I feel blessed that we were able to keep those guys around," he said of his extended roster of 53 active players, 16 practice squad players and one International Pathway player. "It's always a puzzle and a roster kind of juggle. How do we keep the best 70, what are the mechanisms we can use to do so. And being able to keep those guys on the practice squad and in the boat to continue to develop but be available for potential elevations on gameday. It worked out for us and I'm excited about it."

Wideout wasn't the only position group that underwent change early and late this offseason and preseason. Trades brought widebodies in Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs to the team last week to continue the evolution of the D-line interior.

"I feel really good about the defensive line group and how it came together in the past week," Mougey said, adding about the Phillips trade, "We feel strong about that. We know exactly what we're getting in that player. He'll help specifically in the run game, but he's an experienced player that has had a lot of success. Then to add Briggs, he played last year and had success as well.

"Jay Tufele, you saw the things he did this training camp and preseason. Leonard Taylor III as well with his pass rush. The whole group all five, and it obviously starts with Quinnen [Williams] up front, who's also a team captain. But the group as a whole I think complements each other well."

Mougey touched on several other topics, and early in the media availability he was asked about the position that is first and foremost in most fans' minds. And while he has talked about Fields several times this offseason, he offered his final preseason thoughts on his young veteran signal-caller.

Specifically, he was asked if Fields can be one of those QBs who finds that his third team's the charm. His answer was about Fields but easily expanded to describe his expectations for the entire Jets team as it taxis onto the 2025 runway.

"I do believe Justin can be one of those guys. I've seen to progress during this camp and look forward to seeing this progress throughout the season as they all come together," he said. "This is his third stop in three years with three different coordinators and a lot of moving parts, so it does take time.

"But I like where it's at and I look forward to watching the progress."