The Jets dominated the Packers in the team's first preseason game Saturday, earning a 30-10 victory at Lambeau Field. With many strong performances across the board, here are six players that stood out.
DL Jay Tufele
Jay Tufele told reporters at training camp on Thursday that he was most looking forward to "attacking" during the Jets' first preseason game, and the veteran player certainly did that on Saturday. Tufele got his productive night started early, taking down Packers QB Jordan Love on the first offensive possession of the game. The 3-yard loss on third down forced a Green Bay punt and put the ball back in the hands of the Jets' offense.
Halfway through the second quarter, Tufele attacked again -- but this time, it was a loose ball he was after. With the Packers pinned deep in their own territory, DL Leonard Taylor III recorded a strip sack of QB Malik Willis. Tufele was there to jump on the ball in the end zone and extend the Jets' lead. The defensive score was the Green & White's first fumble recovery for a touchdown in a preseason game since 2022, and the first in a preseason road win since 1989.
Tufele split a sack of Willis with edge Braiden McGregor to close out his monster performance.
FB Andrew Beck
QB Justin Fields led an efficient scoring drive to begin the night for the Jets, and Andrew Beck was a popular target. Fields found the fullback twice — for 12 and 24 yards, respectively, in the middle of the field. Beck was especially effective gaining yards after the catch, picking up 7 additional yards after his first reception, and 19 yards after his second. Beck's second catch-and-run moved the Jets into the red zone, where Fields ultimately scrambled into found the end zone to give the Jets an early lead.
"He's a really good player," Glenn said of Beck. "That was [GM Darren Mougey's] first signing, to get him in. I'm a big believer in fullbacks in this league, because I don't think people play against them as much. So, I think that gives us an advantage. … Beck did his job as far as making plays."
CB Qwan'tez Stiggers & LB Ja'Markis Weston
The Jets found success in all three phases of Saturday's game, with Qwan'tez Stiggers and Ja’Markis Weston delivering highlight-worthy plays on special teams.
Stiggers struck first from the gunner position, immediately taking down Packers receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. to halt a punt return. The impressive tackle pinned Green Bay on its 5-yard line, and the difficult field position led to Leonard Taylor's strip sack and Jay Tufele's recovery for the touchdown.
Ja'Markis Weston made his presence known later in the quarter, jumping on a muffed punt by Hardman to give the ball to the Jets' offense on the 9-yard line. The Green & White capitalized on the possession and field position, with Harrison Mevis converting a 22-yard field-goal attempt and adding to the Jets' lead.
WR Tyler Johnson
The competition for WR2 continues, and Tyler Johnson arrived in Green Bay ready to make his case. On the Jets' first offensive possession, QB Justin Fields was facing a third-and-5 and connected with Johnson to keep the drive alive. On the Jets' next offensive possession, QB Brady Cookdelivered a throw across the middle to Johnson, who picked up 21 yards and a first down.
RB Donovan Edwards
Undrafted free agent Donovan Edwards flashed speed and potential in his first NFL action, leading the Green & White with 42 rushing yards. Edwards also caught a short pass from QB Adrian Martinez and broke a tackle to pick up 21 yards and a first down.
In the fourth quarter, Edwards found a hole and ran 73 yards to the end zone. The touchdown was ultimately negated by an offensive holding penalty, but HC Aaron Glenn was still impressed with the performance of the young back.
"I hate that Donovan got the touchdown called back, I think he really deserved that," Aaron Glenn said. "I think you really saw speed from him as he got around the edge on the defense. Again, that's our brand of football. We want to run it, but we also want to be very efficient in the pass game which I think our guys did."
