New York Jets Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players from the 2023 Jets who could join the immortals in Canton someday.

Guaranteed Hall of Famer

Aaron Rodgers, QB: The Jets' new QB comes to town having already established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, ranks fifth all-time in the NFL in passing touchdowns (475) and ninth in passing yards (59,055) while also holding the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in league history (4.52). 

The 39-year-old had a late-career resurgence, picking up back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. Those trophies boost his total to four, the second-most behind Peyton Manning. Rodgers did drop off last season, but the trade to New York should motivate him to show Green Bay it shouldn't have moved on from the longest-tenured player in franchise history. 

With one Super Bowl, 10 Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro selections, Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor gives Rodgers the highest chance of reaching Canton among all active NFL players.

A young player who could develop into a Hall of Famer

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB: The 22-year-old told teams he was the top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft and he proved during his rookie season he wasn't exaggerating. After putting together arguably the best campaign by any cornerback in the NFL, Gardner took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while earning a Pro Bowl selection.

Aside from leading the league with 20 pass breakups, Gardner allowed 45.9 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed, with quarterbacks posting a 53.9 passer rating when targeting him. (Both figures are below the league average.) He was exceptionally dominant in man coverage, surrendering just 54 yards during the regular season. 

The former Cincinnati Bearcat also received an 87.9 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest among cornerbacks last season.

The lone blemish from Gardner's rookie season came in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, when he gave up the first touchdown of either his professional or college careers. Regardless, if Gardner can continue performing at this level for the next several seasons, the Jets could have a first-ballot Hall of Famer on their hands.