The New York Jets fell to the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game, 21-16, on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.
With most of the likely starters sitting this one out, numerous key backups had a chance to get much-needed reps. Or in the case of quarterback Zach Wilson, it was a chance to prove he has learned from his mistakes in 2022.
Wilson played a quarter and went 3-for-5 for 65 yards, including a 57-yard toss to wide receiver Malik Taylor, a very nice deep throw that landed right on the mark, a play head coach Robert Saleh said was suggested by Aaron Rodgers. Wilson started taking what the defense gave him, something he severely struggled with last season. This was against mostly backups for the Browns, but the progress has been evident for the former No. 2 overall pick.
The other top player most had their eyes on Thursday was offensive tackle Mekhi Becton. He was expected to play 20 to 25 snaps. He wound up playing only seven offensive snaps plus a few snaps on special teams. But in his limited time, Becton played well. He looked very strong in both run blocking for Israel Abanikanda — who had a 10-yard touchdown run and finished with 27 yards on nine carries — and pass protection for Wilson.
The Jets seem to be making Becton earn a spot, hence him running with the second team in camp and starting on Thursday. Saleh said the limited snap count was more about building up Becton’s confidence that his knee can hold up but that Becton “felt it a little bit.” There’s no setback for Becton, however, and that is the most important piece here. Just getting Becton healthy after his first game action since Week 1 of the 2021 season is a confidence booster for both Becton and the team.
Tim Boyle played the second and third quarters at QB for the Jets and went 6-for-11 for 61 yards. Chris Streveler finished out the game — including waiting out a delay after the lights in the stadium went out — and was 1-of-7 for nine yards.
Elsewhere on the ground, rookie Travis Dye ran nine times for 12 yards and Damarea Crockett had seven yards on four carries.
Taylor’s 57 yards receiving were a game high. Four other Jets had double digits: Alex Erickson (1-19), EJ Jenkins (2-18), Jason Brownlee (2-17) and Kenny Yeboah (2-13). Zack Kuntz and Abanikanda each had a catch for six and five yards, respectively.
On defense, undrafted rookie Trey Dean led the way with seven tackles and sixth-round rookie Zaire Barnes had five. Will McDonald made some very nice spin moves and showed the speed and flashes that made him the 15th overall pick. Micheal Clemons and Bryce Hall (who recorded a sack) also showed they will be key parts of the rotation.
Not that preseason records mean much, but Thursday was the first preseason loss for Saleh, who is entering his third year as Jets coach. Saleh was 5-0-1 in the preseason entering Thursday — the Jets and Eagles played to a 31-31 tie in 2021.
The Jets return to the practice field Saturday and will have a pair of open practices to the public Saturday and Sunday before a day off Monday. They’ll practice at home Tuesday and then head to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a pair of joint practices with the Carolina Panthers Wednesday and Thursday before their preseason game next Saturday, Aug. 12 at 4 p.m.