The New York Jets have operated in anonymity for much of 2025, but beneath the murky surface of the 3-13 squad lies some promising developments.
One exists in the form of defensive tackle Jowon Briggs. The former seventh-round pick of the Browns was traded to the Jets in late August, stepped into a rotational role along New York's defensive front and has maximized his opportunities, recording four sacks, 34 tackles (seven for loss) and a forced fumble in 16 games (seven starts). While he isn't shouldering a full starter's workload up front, Briggs has received more playing time since New York traded Quinnen Williams to Dallas, and flashed often enough to earn recognition and a new expectation for more entering 2026.
It's all a product of Briggs' trust in his process, one that hasn't always been clear but has taken a turn toward a brighter future over the last six months.
"For me, I'd say it's just continued faith," Briggs said, via the team's official site. "Continuing to believe in what we decide to have going on. For me, I'm a guy that likes to put the horse blinders on, go to work, and then be able to take care of my one-eleventh. I say it all the time -- you can be selfish or selfless. Be able to take care of what you have going on, be so selfish about doing what you have to do, that it helps the greater good. Do your job the best you can, and you'll be able to help others and that's kind of how I decide to live my football life. So, that's kind of been what I've been focusing on as well."
So far, it's paid off. While the traditional numbers don't suggest Briggs is making a significant impact, he's proven to be worth a few standout plays per game. Next Gen Stats offers more insight into Briggs' performance, too: The interior defensive lineman has logged a QB pressure rate of 12.9 percent, added 19 run stops, eight run stuffs and has accounted for a run stop EPA of -10.2, a mark that ranks among more prominent names like Denver's Zach Allen (-9.6), Seattle's Jarran Reed (-10.9) and Buffalo's Ed Oliver (-10.9).
"There's a couple of guys that I can look at when we talked about that, and Briggs is one of them," Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. "When he came in, I think he was known as just a true run stopper, and he's done a really good job of that. But he's shown he has a knack for actually rushing the passer also, and it's in his own way, all right, but he's been pretty disruptive."
New York received this level of production (plus a seventh-round pick) in a trade with Cleveland that only required the Jets to send a sixth-rounder to the Browns. That's good return on investment for first-year general manager Darren Mougey, who has made plenty of changes to this roster since taking over.
"Briggs has been doing some really good things, affecting the quarterback, pushing the pocket, getting some pressures," interim defensive coordinator Chris Harris said on Thursday. "We are really pleased with where he's at and him continuing to grow within our defensive scheme."
It isn't the first instance in which Briggs has benefitted from a change of scenery. As a freshman at Virginia, Briggs proved to be a standout as a freshman but played in just seven games in his sophomore season before transferring to Cincinnati, where he played a key role over his final three campaigns, serving as a team captain in 2023 and earning all-conference honorable mention honors before moving onto the NFL.
Much like he did in his collegiate move back to his home state of Ohio, Briggs is blossoming with his new team. He believes it's only the beginning, a sentiment those within the organization hope will eventually produce tangible results in the win-loss column beyond this season.
"It's just continued belief and continued trust," Briggs said. "Coach AG is somebody that's extremely genuine and he's somebody that does not change his messaging. From the beginning of the season, preseason to now, it's been a continued message of belief and faith and trust. And that's what we're trying to finish the season on."
