Jets Strengthen Roster With Signings Of Wide Receiver And Running Back ahead of Last NFL Draft picks
The New York Jets have made significant moves to strengthen their 90-man roster by signing wide receiver Hamze El-Zayat and running back Markese Stepp.
Both players impressed during the team’s rookie minicamp held earlier this month. Both El-Zayat and Stepp made the most of this chance, displaying their athletic abilities and fitting seamlessly into the Jets’ schemes.
Hamze El-Zayat hails from the same hometown as Jets head coach Robert Saleh in Michigan. This connection adds a personal layer to his signing.
Last season, El-Zayat demonstrated his prowess at Eastern Michigan, recording 27 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns.
His performance has made him a promising addition to the Jets’ wide receiver lineup.
Running back Markese Stepp has had a dynamic college career, playing for USC and Nebraska before transferring to Western Kentucky.
In his time at Western Kentucky, Stepp accumulated 97 carries for 476 yards and three touchdowns. Notably, he played alongside the Jets’ third-round pick, wide receiver Malachi Corley.
To make room for the new signings, the Jets waived running back Jacques Patrick and defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer.
Both players were part of the team’s depth chart, but the coaching staff believes that El-Zayat and Stepp offer higher potential and better fit into the team’s strategic vision.
The Jets are not only focusing on immediate gains but also on long-term development.
The 49ers Week 1 matchup has typically brought fireworks, with 2024 being no different.
The NFL announced Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers will host quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season. SF will play NYJ as the opening Monday Night Football game of the year, taking place Sept. 9th at Levi’s Stadium on ESPN and ABC.
While the full schedule will not be released until Wednesday, the 49ers first matchup of the new league year is a tasty treat for NFL fans.
The clash between the two football giants features multiple intriguing storylines, including the return of Rodgers to Northern California. The Chico native was infamously passed over by the Red & Gold in the 2005 NFL Draft, taking QB Alex Smith instead. Rodgers has held a grudge against his childhood team since, playing into his future hall-of-fame career.
Additional storylines include the return of Robert Saleh to Levi’s Stadium, the former defensive coordinator of the 49ers. Also, several former players have jumped ship to the Gang Green, with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw doing so this offseason.
The 49ers and Jets have played one another only 14 times in NFL history, last doing so in 2020. SF has dominated the matchup, going 11-3 all-time. Rodgers has played SF only nine times in his career, last doing so in 2021. He has performed historically well against them, posting a 107.5 passer rating on average.
