{"id":260102,"date":"2025-12-24T12:30:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T17:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=260102"},"modified":"2025-12-23T18:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T23:43:17","slug":"jowon-briggs-breakout-is-a-bright-spot-in-jets-dark-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/24\/jowon-briggs-breakout-is-a-bright-spot-in-jets-dark-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Jowon Briggs Breakout Is a Bright Spot in Jets Dark Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the NFL season drawing to a close, it’s been a tough time for the Jets<\/a>. After seemingly turning the corner after winning three of their last five games, New York has since lost their third game in a row after losing to the New Orleans Saints<\/a> on Sunday. The play of undrafted rookie Brady Cook has had the same problems as Justin Fields when he was the quarterback. The defense hasn’t fared as well either. However, there is one lone bright spot in this lost season. Considered an afterthought after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns<\/a> in August, Darren Mougey may have found a gem<\/a>. After the loss of Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, New York needed an interior defensive lineman to step up. Not only did he answer the call, but defensive tackle Jowon Briggs<\/a> has become a focal point on defense. At only 24 years old, Briggs has an opportunity to prosper in the defense long term.<\/p>\n

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Nov 23, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (91) celebrates a sack during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jowon Briggs Breakout Is a Bright Spot in Jets Dark Season<\/h2>\n

The 2024 season was an absolute disappointment for the Jets. With the expectation of playoffs, New York finished the season with a 5-12 record and an interim head coach. Choosing not to retain interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, Woody Johnson handed the keys to ex-cornerback turned defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. After a successful eight-season tenure starting with the Jets, Glenn took to coaching like a fish in water after retiring. Glenn got the job after his success with the Detroit Lions<\/a> defense under Dan Campbell. However, the Jets roster had nowhere near the level of talent seen in the Motor City.<\/p>\n

During the offseason, the Jets made major changes along the interior of the defensive line. In August, New York made a trade with the Cleveland Browns. After drafting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham<\/a> fifth overall, Cleveland had a surplus of interior linemen. As a result, New York acquired Jowon Briggs in exchange for a sixth-round pick. With less than two weeks remaining, the trade looked like a stroke of genius for general manager Darren Mougey.<\/p>\n

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New York Jets defensive lineman Jowon Briggs (91) trips Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during a game at MetLife Stadium, Oct 19, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jowon Briggs is turning into a great pass rusher<\/h3>\n

During his rookie season, Briggs hardly got a true opportunity to prove himself. Through the first 11 weeks of his rookie season, Briggs was inactive. It wasn’t until December 2 that he made his debut vs. the Denver Broncos<\/a>. Through only six games of his rookie season, Briggs had only 13 tackles, two quarterback hits, and a single tackle for loss<\/a>. After such limited action in his rookie season in Cleveland, Jowon Briggs season with the Jets stands out that much more.<\/p>\n

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Look where Jowon Briggs' numbers are at for the FULL season (not even just the post-trade stretch)<\/p>\n

Ranks among DTs…<\/p>\n

– 2nd in pressure rate (13.4%)
– 3rd in pass-rush win rate (15.2%)
– 5th in PFF pass-rush grade (82.4)<\/p>\n

Jeffery Simmons is the only other player top-5 in all 3. pic.twitter.com\/1Yyf8rdll3<\/a><\/p>\n

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) December 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n