Combatting old faces in new places dominate the key Week 1 storylines for Jets

In a week, it will be the Jets against the Titans — and the Jets against the former Jets and former Giants. Gang Green’s opener will feature a number of fascinating matchups, as new Tennessee coach Robert Saleh brought in a number of his old players and several others who played for his offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, with the Giants. 

The Post’s Zach Braziller takes a look ahead to the Week 1 showdown in Nashville: 

Protecting Geno against former Jets 

There was a time not so long ago that Jermaine Johnson II was supposed to be a Jets building block. The former first-round pick had 7.5 sacks in his second season in 2023. Then, he tore his Achilles tendon two games into 2024 and the team traded him to the Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat in February. Johnson, along with another former Jet, John Franklin-Myers, will be hoping to make quarterback Geno Smith’s life difficult next Sunday.

It won’t be easy for that duo going up against young offensive tackles Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu.

The duo is a big part of what the Jets feel is a strong offensive line. Membou, in particular, has been receiving ample praise throughout the summer after a quality rookie season. For both players, there is familiarity with Johnson. 

Jets against former Giants in the passing game 

Two key Titans played for the Giants last season with Daboll: slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and No. 2 cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. Ironically, Robinson is likely going to see former Titan Jarvis Brownlee Jr. for much of the day. Brownlee, acquired by the Jets last September, figures to be extra motivated.

Brownlee has said he was hurt by the Titans trading him, especially since the front office didn’t explain the move to him. This will be his first time facing his old team. 

The 25-year-old Flott had a career-high 11 passes defensed a year ago for the Giants, and inked a three-year, $45 million deal with the Titans. The Jets figure to test the former third-round pick with their two talented wideouts, Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. Smith is known to push down the field, and the Jets may prefer to target Flott than the Titans’ top cornerback, Alontae Taylor, who is regarded as one of the better young defensive backs in the NFL. 

Bailey debuts against underwhelming opposition 

Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey was one of the stories of training camp, the second overall draft pick out of Texas Tech looking every bit as dominant as projected. When the Jets picked Bailey, the hope was he could elevate a pass rush that was 31st in the league a year ago with a paltry 26 sacks. He could have a big opener. Tennessee’s offensive line is considered below average, and offensive tackles JC Latham and Dan Moore Jr. are not highly regarded.

Latham was ranked 47th among tackles in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus, while Moore was 63rd. The Titans allowed 56 sacks last season, sixth-most in the league. 

Jets secondary against Ward 

Cam Ward had a shaky rookie year. His 5.9 yards per attempt ranked dead last in the NFL. The Titans added pieces for him in Robinson and first-round pick Carnell Tate, the fourth overall selection. The Jets, meanwhile, made history by becoming the first team to not record a single interception a year ago. The topic won’t go away until they produce in that area. They added veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in free agency to solidify the secondary and also drafted Indiana standout cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, although he hasn’t practiced since the first day of training camp due to a calf injury.