Jets' Jeremy Ruckert eager to improve — and help out rookie Mason Taylor

The Jets held their first day of minicamp on Tuesday and spoke about how they're coming together as a team and are "laser-focused" on getting better. Credit: Ed Murray

By Al Iannazzoneal.iannazzone@newsday.com Al_IannazzoneJune 11, 2025

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Jeremy Ruckert met with Aaron Glenn this winter and was told of some areas he needed to improve. Ruckert took that conversation to heart.

Entering his fourth NFL season, the tight end from Lindenhurst sees ways he can make an impact, on and off the field.

“It was a great conversation,” Ruckert said after Jets' minicamp practice Tuesday. “Just about taking this position and rolling with it. Being more consistent, being that player who can kind of bring guys along with you.

“Going into Year Four, I think that's something I've been really focusing on - just being the most consistent player I can be and do whatever they need me to do. Whether that's in the run game, the pass game, whatever it is, just continue to grow.”

Glenn said last week that he’s seen improvement in Ruckert but “there’s a lot of meat on the bone.” On Tuesday, Glenn said some of Ruckert’s blocking techniques need refinement.

“The one thing I think that stands out about Ruck, man, you love the physical traits that he has,” Glenn said. “His ability to understand how to sustain blocks, like, where his arms should be placed, how should he create leverage with who he is, because he is pretty tall, and being able to stay low and be able to get under people.

“He is a tough guy. He is violent. Now it's just understanding little techniques of actually how to use all that and be able to finish on guys. So I'm excited about that player. He still has a ways to go, but he is getting better.”  

Ruckert, a 2022 third-round pick, hasn’t been featured much in the pass game. Playing behind Tyler Conklin, Ruckert has only caught 35 passes in three seasons.

There’s an opportunity for him to be more involved, especially playing with his former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. But Ruckert is now competing with Mason Taylor, a more accomplished pass catcher in college who the Jets drafted in the second round.

Ruckert said he didn’t “pay too much attention” to the Jets drafting Taylor, the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor. Ruckert’s focus was on getting better and ready for the season.

“I think I'm self-motivated,” Ruckert said. “Whether it's him in the second round, whether it's someone they want to bring in, everybody's trying to take someone's job. So at the end of day, you should worry about yourself.”

Ruckert called Taylor “a big addition to the [tight end] room” and said he wants to help him any way he can.

“Mason's great, he’s a great kid, super talented,” Ruckert said. “Just trying to bring him along, show him the ropes.

“I know he's got a lot of experience with his dad telling him what it's like. But the standard that we're trying to set, I'm going to really to take that personal to bring these guys along with me and show Coach Glenn that I could be a guy to rally behind and get these guys going.”

No hold outs

Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson are seeking contract extensions, but both participated in minicamp. Glenn is not surprised that neither player is holding out.

“Our guys are coming to compete. That’s who they are,” Glenn said. “Listen, I don’t take that lightly either. I'm appreciative, but I know how they're built too. Those guys come to work.”

Johnson’s progress

Jermaine Johnson, who is returning from a torn Achilles tendon, is extension eligible, too. The Jets may wait to see how he recovers, but it meant a lot to Johnson that they picked up his 2026 option.

“It's a big investment,” Johnson said. “To me, that's them lifting their end of the couch and now it's my turn to lift my end of the couch.”

Glenn said Johnson could start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but should be ready to play Week 1.

“He's going to be a huge part of what we're doing,” Glenn said.

Johnson, who has rehabbed on a side field during OTAs and minicamp, said, “I have full confidence I’m going to come back without missing a beat.”