New York Jets Rookie Getting Rave Reviews Throughout Training Camp From Coaches

The New York Jets have high hopes for their rookie tight end, Mason Taylor, and for good reason. As the 2025 season approaches, all signs point to the LSU product making an immediate impact in Aaron Glenn’s offense, with the head coach himself declaring that Taylor possesses the right “DNA for the NFL.”

New York Jets Mason Taylor: NFL DNA

When Jets coach Aaron Glenn talks about Mason Taylor having “NFL DNA,” he’s not speaking metaphorically. The rookie tight end is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, the legendary defensive end who terrorized opposing quarterbacks for 15 NFL seasons. While Mason has chosen a different position than his father, the football intelligence and competitive drive that made Jason Taylor great appear to have been passed down.

This pedigree extends beyond just genetics. Growing up in an NFL household means Mason Taylor has been exposed to the professional mindset, work ethic, and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level since childhood. That kind of background is invaluable for a rookie trying to make the transition from college to professional football.

More Than Just a Name

Taylor isn’t riding on his father’s reputation—his college production at LSU speaks for itself. During his time with the Tigers, he established himself as one of the most productive tight ends in school history, finishing his career with 129 receptions for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers reflect a player who was consistently reliable and effective in the SEC, one of college football’s most competitive conferences.

What makes Taylor’s college statistics particularly impressive is their consistency. He wasn’t a player who had one breakout season; instead, he steadily improved his production and became a reliable target for LSU quarterbacks throughout his career. This kind of steady development and reliability is exactly what NFL teams look for in rookie prospects.

A True Two-Way Tight End

One of the most encouraging aspects of Taylor’s profile is his versatility. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Jets coaches view him as “a true two-way tight end” who brings both receiving ability and blocking skills to the table. In today’s NFL, tight ends who can excel in both facets of the game are invaluable assets.

Perhaps even more encouraging is the assessment that “his blocking is better than advertised.” For a team like the Jets, which is emphasizing a run-first approach under Glenn, having a tight end who can contribute as a blocker immediately makes Taylor more valuable than a pure receiving specialist would be.

This two-way ability means Taylor won’t be limited to specific packages or down-and-distance situations. Instead, he can be on the field for a high percentage of snaps, making him a more integral part of the offensive game plan from day one.

Perfect Timing for Immediate Impact

The timing couldn’t be better for Taylor to make an immediate impact with the Jets. The team currently lacks a clear-cut number two receiver behind Garrett Wilson, creating an opportunity for a talented tight end to fill that void in the passing game. With Justin Fields under center, Taylor could quickly become one of the quarterback’s most reliable targets.

Glenn’s commitment to a run-first offense actually enhances Taylor’s value rather than diminishing it. In run-heavy schemes, tight ends often see more targets when they do get involved in the passing game, as defenses focus on stopping the ground attack. This could lead to favorable matchups for Taylor against linebackers and safeties who are primarily focused on run support.

Overcoming Early Setbacks

Taylor’s preseason hasn’t been without challenges. He missed more than a week of practice with a high-ankle sprain, which limited his ability to showcase his skills in game situations. However, the Jets aren’t concerned about his limited preseason production, focusing instead on getting him fully healthy for the regular season.

This approach demonstrates the organization’s confidence in Taylor’s abilities. Rather than feeling pressure to prove himself in meaningless preseason games, the Jets are prioritizing his long-term health and availability. As long as he gets through the final preseason game against the Eagles healthy, the team feels confident about his readiness for Week 1.

Glenn’s Vision for the Offense

Aaron Glenn’s enthusiasm for Taylor goes beyond just individual talent assessment. The head coach sees the rookie as a key piece in implementing his offensive philosophy. Glenn has been vocal about wanting to establish a physical, run-first identity, but that doesn’t mean neglecting the passing game entirely.

Having a reliable tight end who can both block and receive allows Glenn to maintain his run-first approach while still presenting multiple threats to opposing defenses. Taylor’s versatility means the Jets can stay in their preferred personnel groupings while still maintaining the ability to attack defenses through the air when opportunities arise.

What Fans Can Expect in 2025

Based on the coaching staff’s comments and Taylor’s skill set, Jets fans can expect to see him integrated into the offense early and often. While he may not put up eye-popping statistics immediately, his contributions will likely be felt across multiple areas of the game.

In the passing game, expect Taylor to be used primarily on intermediate routes where his size and reliable hands can be maximized. His experience at LSU suggests he’s comfortable working in traffic and can be trusted in crucial down-and-distance situations.

As a blocker, Taylor should contribute immediately to the Jets’ running game. His ability to seal the edge and create running lanes will be crucial to the success of Glenn’s ground-based attack.

The Long-Term Outlook

While immediate impact is encouraging, Taylor’s ceiling appears to be quite high. His combination of NFL pedigree, college production, and two-way ability suggests he could develop into one of the more complete tight ends in the league over time.

The Jets have made it clear they view Taylor as more than just a role player. His “major role on offense,” as described by team observers, indicates that the organization sees him as a cornerstone piece rather than a complementary player.

As Taylor continues to develop his chemistry with Fields and becomes more comfortable with the NFL game, his production should increase accordingly. The foundation is clearly there for him to become a significant contributor to the Jets’ offensive success in 2025 and beyond.

With his NFL DNA, proven college production, and the confidence of his coaching staff, Mason Taylor appears poised to make his mark on the Jets’ offense from day one. For a team looking to take the next step competitively, having a reliable, versatile tight end could prove to be exactly the type of foundational piece they need to build sustained success.