For the past two seasons, the Jets defense, which is littered with Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, has been the better unit in training camp.

Four days into 2024 training camp, the script appears to have been flipped. The Jets' offense, led by QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Garrett Wilson, has been putting stress on the Green & White's defense, and CB D.J. Reed said he is grateful.

"There have been real battles out here," Reed said after practice Saturday. "Today [Wilson] ran a sluggo route and he got me. Eight [Rodgers] and Garrett and the whole offense, they are definitely on in a different zone right now. What we are being asked to do, they are making it hard. They are getting us the work on hard downs, which is ultimately going to prepare us for Game 1one and the season."

Over the past two regular seasons, the Jets defense has statistically been one of the best in the NFL. In 2022 and 2023, the unit ranked in the top-12 in total yards allowed (fourth and third) and total points (fourth and 4th & 12th).

In 2023, the Jets defense sent three players to the Pro Bowl – DT Quinnen Williams, CB Sauce Gardner and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson – and two players were named a first-team All-Pro – Gardner and LB Quincy Williams.

Despite 8 of those 11 defensive starters back from 2023 back for 2024, the Jets' offense has been a force early in camp. Passes have rarely been hitting the ground and the 8-to-5 connection has led the way.

"Looking at that team, I honestly feel like our offense is way better," Reed said. "Especially with how Aaron and Garrett are going, and we still don't even have Mike Williams yet, that will make things even better. Then with our defense, we have guys. It is self-explanatory what we have done the last two years. Hopefully, we can keep building on that and we will have a chance to win it all."

Saturday, Wilson got the better of Reed in 7-on-7, making two grabs along the sideline. Reed returned the favor in 11-on-11 leaping over the top of Wilson to break up a pass on a third down of a move-the-ball session.

"With their chemistry, they are doing stuff on the go," Reed said about Rodgers and Wilson. "They will run a route and if you over-pursue, they will run another route. They are in their element, and it is going to make us better."

Heading into camp, Reed made it a goal to work on his press man coverage. Wilson has been the perfect practice partner for Reed because of the third-year star receiver's quick release off the line of scrimmage.

"I am already great at my off coverage, press bell and zone type of defense, so now I am working on my press man," Reed said. "Especially going against Garrett, which is challenging, I just feel like I am getting better every day."

In 2019, while Reed was a member of the 49ers, he helped San Francisco win NFC title, before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV (54). Reed doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but while addressing the media Saturday, he compared this Jets team to the 2019 Niners because of the offense.

"In past years it has felt like at moments things started really slow," Reed said. "Now, today, the offense and defense are both really clicking, it is very different. It feels like we're playing real football already in training camp."