Breece Hall of the Jets is ready to face his college roommate Brock Purdy

FLORHAM PARK, NJ – A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:

1. Guys from Ames: Running back Breece Hall will face his old college roommate on Monday Night Football at Levi's Stadium. He and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got along so well at Iowa State that they lived together for two years during high school, playing video games, enjoying music (Purdy had an electric piano in his room) and chiding their third roommate, Mike Rose, for his sloppy habits.

Their best day was Sunday, when the trio gathered in their living room to watch NFL games. Looking back, Rose said they always knew Hall had the talent to play in the league. Rose thanked Purdy for pushing Hall to become a better player.

“It was definitely a tough battle,” Rose, a former Cyclones linebacker, told ESPN. “Breece and Brock definitely went all out. They were always trying to outdo each other, whether it was Madden or anything else.”

“Brock was always tough on Breece to get him to play along a little bit, just like in football and stuff. Brock was the perfect example of how to go about it. Brock was kind of a good mentor to Breece. I think Brock always made fun of him.”

Purdy was hyper-focused, a film junkie who was focused on preparation. He was “always pushing Breece to be more professional and stuff like that,” Rose said. Hall agreed, calling Purdy the “ultimate leader. Just being around him for two and a half years made me a better person. He rubs off on you.”

Rose and Purdy roomed together for a semester, then invited Hall over, who had a bedroom downstairs off the kitchen. They didn't throw parties (“We were kind of boring,” Rose said), but they had a lot of fun.

Rose, recently released by the New Orleans Saints, will watch his old roommates begin their third NFL season. Both were drafted in 2022, Hall in the second round, Purdy at the end of the seventh, Mr. Irrelevant.

“I've been in and out of the league, so it's been fun to always have people to watch,” Rose said. “Brock's success has been so cool, how he's done and that he's still the same guy. It's honestly refreshing to see that in this world.”

“Breece, that was no surprise. Breece is going to have another coming out party. I don't think people know what he's capable of. It's just great to see these two guys because you see firsthand the work and the time they put into it.”

2. No hard feelings: Things happen in mysterious ways in the football universe. The player who sacked Aaron Rodgers on the play that resulted in a torn Achilles was Leonard Floyd of the Buffalo Bills – the same Leonard Floyd who signed with the 49ers in the offseason.

They meet again on Monday.

Floyd obviously didn't mean to hurt Rodgers on that play. Rodgers acknowledges that and says, “I hope he doesn't feel any responsibility for it.”

He has enjoyed his interactions with Floyd on the field over the years. He once faked Floyd on a touchdown run, teasing him, and then got punched in the chest when he tried it again. “He's obviously played at a high level for a long time,” Rodgers said, “and I'm going to enjoy beating him up before the game.”

3. The Incredible Shrinking Lineman: Without edge rusher Haason Reddick (holdout), the Jets will likely turn to Micheal Clemons (one career start) to play defensive end in base defense. He's not a natural pass rusher (just three sacks in 32 games), but he's much more polished than he used to be.

A year ago, Clemons was asked to gain 30 pounds so he could play inside as a defensive tackle – an unfortunate move. “In hindsight, it wasn't a good idea,” coach Robert Saleh admitted. Clemons wasn't productive, so they basically told him, 'Forget it.'” He lost weight and now weighs 263 pounds.

The hope is that a thinner, faster Clemons can improve his pass-rush game. In reality, the Reddick void – at least in terms of pass rush – will be filled primarily by 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV.

4. Family tree draft: The Jets will open the season with six former first-round picks on the defensive line and eight overall on defense, not counting Reddick, who remains on the reserve/non-reporting list. The new additions are tackle Javon Kinlaw and end Takkarist McKinley, who were drafted by the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.

If Reddick signs up, the Jets will be in select company. In the era of regular drafts (since 1966), only 14 teams have had at least nine former first-rounders on defense, according to Elias Sports.

5. Reddick’s absence: Some people may wonder if Reddick will do what Le'Veon Bell did and sit out the entire season because of a contract dispute. Bell did that with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 and then signed with the Jets as a free agent in 2019.

But Reddick and Bell's situation is like comparing apples and oranges.

Bell was not under contract with the Steelers; he had the franchise tag and refused to sign the offer. Reddick has one year left on his contract; if he sits out, he will not get credit for the season and his contract will expire. Instead of becoming a free agent in 2025, his rights would still be with the Jets and he would have accomplished nothing by sitting out.

6. Expensive secondary courses: The Jets rewarded nickelback Michael Carter II with a best contract for his position (a three-year, $30.75 million extension). Cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is eligible for an extension after the season, is trending in the same direction at his position. What does this mean for cornerback DJ Reed, who will become a free agent? Reed said he's very happy for Carter, but his plan is to play out his contract.

“I'm going to be a free agent,” he told ESPN. “I'm focused on doing my thing, taking it one game at a time, winning at the end, getting into the playoffs, competing for a Super Bowl spot and then just seeing what happens after that.”

7. Under the radar: The Jets have three new starters on the offensive line – Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and… um… who’s the third? John Simpson, left guard.

He is often overlooked, but it is interesting to note that Simpson has received unsolicited praise from Rodgers and Saleh. Rodgers called him “one of the biggest surprises” in training camp. Simpson could prove to be a cost-effective free agent if he can reduce his penalties. Last season, he was among the league leaders with 11 penalties, including eight holding penalties.

8. On the edge: After an outstanding season, defensive end Jermaine Johnson has high goals for 2024: “I want to be the best edge rusher in the NFL.” He listed three areas in which he can improve: avoiding wasted moves, developing a pass-rushing plan for every play, and using more counterattack moves.

9. Stay tough: One thing the Jets will try to do on offense is bring some level of toughness in the scoring zone. That was lacking last season, given this telling statistic – they passed the ball inside the opponent's 10-yard line on 73% of their plays, the league's highest rate since 2017, according to ESPN Stats & Information. With an improved offensive line and a runner like Hall and a big running back like 235-pound Braelon Allen, there's no reason they can't be a physical running team, too.

10. The last word: “Regardless of what happens on Monday – if we win, the headline will be: 'We're going to the Super Bowl.' We lose, [it’s] “Same old Jets.” – Rodgers on the reaction of the media and fans.