First impressions are everything.
Nate Lynn, a new arrival for the New York Jets, took that message to heart.
During the 17-0 blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lynn was a straw that stirred the drink. He finished with two sacks that resulted in negative 20 yards lost by the offense. That led the team.
After that sterling performance, ESPN New York’s Jake Asman said Lynn just stole somebody’s job.
“Some other names I want to mention here, and let’s be real, none of us knew who these guys were. How about the Jets’ front office finding Nate Lynn and Junior Bergen? Nate Lynn, Nate Lynn, who? That’s right, Nate Lynn making plays. [Braiden] McGregor, I don’t think you’re going to be on this team much longer. Nate Lynn is taking your roster spot. Braiden McGregor, we will see you later. He signed with the team this week; he had two sacks tonight,” Asman explained on “The Jake Asman Show.”
“Nate Lynn? Who? He signed with the team this week; he had two sacks tonight. Junior Bergen? Who? How effective was he tonight on special teams?”
Where the Heck Did Lynn Come From?
Lynn, 24, entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of William & Mary. Following the 2024 NFL draft, he signed with the Detroit Lions. That’s where he crossed over with Aaron Glenn, who served as the defensive cooridator at the time. Now he’s the head coach of the Jets when he reunited with Lynn.
On Tuesday, August 18, the Jets announced that they had signed Lynn. A mere 82 hours later, he led his new team in sacks. How can you not be romantic about football?
“Lynn, 6-3, 252, played collegiately at William & Mary and finished his career ranked second in school history in sacks (28) and third in TFL (40). He was also the Tribe’s career record holder for forced fumbles with 12 before going undrafted in 2024,” Jets senior reporter Eric Allen wrote.
Now the young man has a clear path to stealing a job on the 53-man roster for the Jets.
Another New Arrival Makes an Immediate Impact
If you want to make an NFL roster, you have to make an impact. That is true in any situation, but especially when you arrive to the party late. You have to make up for lost time.
On August 19, the Jets announced that they signed wide receiver and return specialist Junior Bergen. He had even less time to acclimate than Lynn.
“The other name is Junior Bergen, who? How effective was he tonight on special teams? Now the Jets just might be like a factory for producing, you know, good returners and kickers. We know how good Isaiah Williams is and [Kene] Nwangwu. Chris Banjo, I think, is the best coach on the Jets’ staff, but it was encouraging to see Junior Bergen go out there, five returns tonight, averaged over 10 yards; his long was 27 [yards],” Asman said.
“Is he gonna make the team? Eh, I don’t know, but he caught my eye tonight. He also had a nice catch for 44 yards; it was like a screen, but they gave him an opportunity. I don’t know how much of the playbook he even knows, but it’s good to see him go out there and do his thing,” Asman added.
New Jets Arrival Surprisingly Stole Job After Blowout Win Over Steelers