New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have set same ambitious NFL target

21 July 2023 , 17:00

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D.J. Reed is confident the Jets can have the number one defensive unit in the NFL

The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely have their roles reversed this season.

After winning their division and making the playoffs in 2022, the Buccaneers are now seen as potential strugglers this season - losing Tom Brady after retiring and replacing him with Baker Mayfield.

The Jets meanwhile, missed out of the playoffs last season after a calamitous second half of the season, but could be Super Bowl contenders after the arrival of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

But one thing that the teams have in common, is an extremely talented starting 11 on the defensive side of the ball - with both teams claiming that they can be the best in the league.

Despite losing Brady, the Bucs have retained the vast majority of their defensive team, and have added star safety Ryan Neal from the Seattle Seahawks, as well as first-round interior rusher Calijah Kancey - who has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald.

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Fellow safety, Antoine Winfield Jr, made the claim that they believe they will be the best in the league.

Speaking on the Richard Sherman podcast, he said: "We want to be the No. 1 defence this year. We’ve got the talent around us to do that, so that’s the No. 1 priority, to be the No. 1 defence."

After signing his new deal with the Jets, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams stated that their goal will be to be the best after a number solid additions - including first-round pass-rusher Will McDonald, run stuffer Al Woods and former Green Bay Packers captain Adrian Amos.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Calijah Kancey

Williams said: "That’s the goal to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL. We’ve got the guys in our room, guys who had phenomenal talent last year and are getting better every single day now, who can be better than they were last year. We’ve got guys who haven’t even scratched the surface last year who can be better."

Cornerback DJ Reed agreed, adding: "I think it’s going to be better for our defense. Personally, I think that we’re going to be able to generate more turnovers because of it.

"If the offense is doing what they’re supposed to be doing, we’re going to be up some of the time or most of the time. That’s going to make the offense on the other side be aggressive."

The Jets will look for superstar Sauce Gardner to continue to grow, after playing an all-time elite level for a rookie last year - with some believing him to be the best in the league already.

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