Jets general manager Darren Mougey spoke to the media Wednesday on the first day of training camp and hit on a few different topics.
There has been a lot of talk about how Aaron Glenn has changed in his second year on the job. Mougey is also in his second season and said having a year in the Jets building has helped him.
“There’s a better comfort level going into Year 2,” Mougey said. “My relationship with AG has only gotten stronger and better. We have dialogue every day. We’re just much more in sync; time on task with anybody does that for you. I think we all have high expectations for ourselves — that’s players, that’s coaches, myself included.”
How would Mougey define a successful season?
“We want to win,” Mougey said. “I want to see these guys compete and get better every single day. That’s starting today throughout training camp and throughout the season.”
Mougey got contract extensions done this offseason with running back Breece Hall and guard Joe Tippmann. He did not sound like he is working to extend any other players.
“I think we’re in a good spot right now, but I’ll always keep contract stuff in-house,” Mougey said.
There also is an expectation that the Jets could add a veteran backup quarterback before the season through either a trade or a signing.
Mougey emphasized that he is eager to see Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook compete to back up Geno Smith.
“I won’t get into the hypotheticals,” Mougey said. “I’m just excited to see Cade get his reps during training camp and watch the whole group, Bailey and Brady, and Geno, get their reps and develop and continue to improve while they’re here and we’ll keep an eye on the landscape … that’s no different for [any] position.”
Neither Mougey or Glenn had much to say about Smith’s run-ins with the Florida police over the last few months.
“I’m excited about what’s moving forward, glad that’s behind us,” Mougey said. “It is behind us and I’m excited for the continued growth through the offseason and training camp.”
Glenn credited Smith with being accountable.
“I think he did a really good job of the awareness part of it,” Glenn said. “First, understanding that we built a lot of momentum in OTAs and coming out of OTAs. Man, the distraction happened. I know that he hated that he was a part of that. The thing about it is it’s behind him. It’s behind him and we’re all moving forward. He talked to me. He talked to some of his teammates. We’re with him 100 percent and we’re moving forward.”
Rookie CB D’Angelo Ponds (strained calf) did not practice, but Glenn said he thinks he’ll be fine.
DT Mazi Smith (hamstring) left practice. NT T’Vondre Sweat has a hamstring injury that landed him on the non-football injury list. Glenn said it is not a long-term concern.
