The New York Jets have operated in anonymity for much of 2025, but beneath the murky surface of the 3-13 squad lie some promising developments.
One exists in the form of defensive tackle Jowon Briggs. The former Browns seventh-round pick was traded to the Jets in late August, played in a variable role along New York’s defense and has maximized his opportunities, recording four sacks, 34 tackles (seven for loss) and a forced fumble in 16 games (seven starts). While he doesn’t shoulder a full starting load up front, Briggs has seen more playing time since New York traded Quinnen Williams to Dallas, flashing enough times to earn recognition and new expectations for more going into 2026.
It’s all a product of Briggs’ confidence in his career, which hasn’t always been clear but has taken a turn toward a brighter future over the past six months.
“For me, I would say it’s just continued belief,” Briggs said via the team’s official site. “Keep believing in what we decide to have going. For me, I’m a guy who likes to put on horse curtains, go to work and then be able to take care of one of my eleven. I always say it – you can be selfish or selfless. Be able to take care of what you’re going on, be so selfish to do what you need to do, what you can do and you can help yourself the best, it can help you, the best. to help others and so I decide to live the football life, so that has also been what I have focused on.”
So far it has paid off. While traditional numbers don’t suggest Briggs will have much of an impact, he’s proven to be worth a few standout plays every game. Next-gen stats also provide more insight into Briggs’ performance: The interior defensive lineman has recorded a QB pressure rate of 12.9 percent, added 19 run stops, eight run interceptions and has accounted for a run stop EPA of -10.2, a mark that ranks among notable names like Denver’s Jarran.6, Seattle (-10.9) and Seattle (-9. Buffalo’s Ed Oliver (-10.9).
“There’s a couple of guys I can look at when we talked about it, and Briggs is one of them,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “Coming in, I think he was known as a true run stopper, and he’s done a really good job of that. But he’s shown that he has the ability to really rush the passer, too, and that’s in his own way, all right, but he’s been pretty disruptive.”