Jets Rookies Win Awards, Legends Elected to HOF

While the 2022 season didn’t work out for the New York Jets, Thursday night at NFL Honors was one of the great nights in franchise history. Two Jets rookies – cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson – walked away with Rookie of the Year honors. This was only the third time in league history where two rookies from the same team earned the respected awards. The other times were Detroit in 1967 (Mel Farr, Lem Barney) and New Orleans in 2017 (Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore). Later in the evening, two Jets legends – defensive lineman Joe Klecko and cornerback Darrelle Revis – were nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let’s take a look at the night for these Jets rookies and legends.

Wilson Wins Offensive ROY

The banner evening for the Jets rookies and legends started with Garrett Wilson winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Wilson was drafted 10^th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 17 games for the Jets, racking up 1,103 yards on only 83 receptions and 4 touchdowns. Despite having four different quarterbacks throwing the rock this season, Wilson was able to put up great numbers. Like most rookie receivers, he had his struggles early in the season. Once he caught his stride, Wilson’s numbers steadily increased. His best game was in Week 13 against Minnesota when he caught 8 receptions for 162 yards. While he didn’t catch any touchdowns after his two scores against Chicago, Wilson had a tremendous effect on an often fledgling passing attack. Fun fact: Wilson is the first player in team history to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Sauce Wins Defensive ROY

The great night for Jets rookies and legends continued as Sauce Gardner was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Gardner was drafted 4^th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. Like Wilson, Gardner appeared in all 17 games this season. But from the get-go in Week 1, the league saw how special Gardner was. How special was his season? In 17 games, he was targeted 86 times and allowed only 46 receptions for 452 yards and one touchdown. On a week-by-week basis, Gardner went up against the best wide receivers in the league and shut them down. For example, against Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson, he allowed two receptions for 11 yards. This award is in addition to various other accolades, including the PFWA Rookie of the Year and Sporting News Rookie of the Year. Gardner was also elected All-Pro.

Revis, Klecko Elected to Pro Football HOF

After the Jets rookies received their awards, it was time for two Jets legends to get earn their Hall of Fame nominations The first legend was cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis’ career spanned 11 seasons, but his most notable years were spent with the Jets. He was drafted 14^th overall by the Jets in 2007 out of Pittsburgh. From then until his retirement in 2017, Revis was arguably the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL. He regularly covered some of the best wide receivers in the NFL and often shut them down. Revis also spent time in Tampa Bay, New England, and Kansas City. Revis had 29 interceptions in 145 career games and 496 tackles in his career. He was also nominated as an NFL All-Pro four times and elected to the Pro Bowl seven times.

The second of the New York Jets legends to be nominated was defensive lineman Joe Klecko. Klecko was drafted in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Temple. In his rookie season, Klecko registered eight sacks. Klecko was part of the vaunted “New York Sack Exchange” that lead the league in sacks with 66 in 1981. He registered 20.5 sacks that season and was named UPI Defensive Player of the Year as well as his first nomination as an All-Pro. Klecko was also a four-time Pro Bowler and – along with Frank Gifford – had the rare distinction of being nominated to the Pro Bowl at three different positions (defensive tackle, defensive lineman, nose tackle). In 1985, he was named as an All-Pro after leading the Jets with 96 tackles. Klecko finished his career with Indianapolis in 1988. In 155 career games, Klecko had 78 total sacks.

My name is Ryan McCarthy and I cover the New York Jets beat for Belly Up Sports. We have a lot more to offer in our NFL coverage. If you want to chirp at me regarding the Jets, life, or other topics, hit me up on Twitter: @whoisryanmcc. Also, check out my podcast called No Credentials Required. Thanks for reading.