The New York Jets have come out fighting, literally and figuratively, to begin their 2023 training camp. Four skirmishes in the first week of camp have set the tone that competition for starting jobs and roster spots will be intense.

Jermaine Johnson, for one, has made a big impression early on to secure more playing time in the Jets' rotation of defensive ends. Undrafted free agent wide receiver Jason Brownlee has stood out in his bid to make the roster. And Michael Carter is looking to do enough so that the Jets aren’t compelled to sign free agent running back Dalvin Cook to share the load with Breece Hall, who’s coming off a torn ACL.

That said, let’s examine the three biggest battles at Jets training camp ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown battle to start at left tackle

Mekhi Becton is healthy and in the best shape of his career. And he’s super motivated to reclaim the starting left tackle position after playing one game the past two seasons due to knee injuries and weight issues.

But will the Jets let him compete for the left tackle spot or simply hand it to veteran Duane Brown, who’s played each of his 215 NFL games at the position?

Becton has a chance to make an early impression since Brown is on the PUP list and not practicing following off-season shoulder surgery. Coach Robert Saleh prefers Brown on the left side and Becton at right tackle, but Becton could make things difficult as he’s verbally balked about playing the right side.

There could be competition at right tackle, too, where Max Mitchell impressed when pressed into duty last season as a rookie. Veteran Billy Turner can play either tackle position. So, if Becton makes it left tackle or bust, he could be on the bench when the season begins.

Joe Tippmann, Wes Schweitzer try to unseat Connor McGovern at center

Connor McGovern played every offensive snap last season. But he’s in a serious battle to keep his starting role at center in 2023.

The 30-year-old not only faces stiff competition from second-round pick Joe Tippmann of Wisconsin, but veteran Wes Schweitzer emerged in OTAs and the early part of training camp as a viable option to start, as well.

All three can play center or guard, and Saleh has said the best five offensive linemen will start regardless of position. So there’s a (slim) chance a loser of the center competition could wind up at guard.

You’d think the Jets want Tippmann to win the job outright in camp. He’s huge (6-foot-6, 317 pounds), athletic, and expected to be the Jets center for years to come. Camp and the preseason will determine if he’s ready right away.

If not Tippmann in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, then McGovern would appear to be the front-runner. He’s the three-year incumbent starter and respected Jets leader. Schweitzer has played much more guard than center in his six NFL seasons and struggled in pass protection in 2022 with the Washington Commanders.

Jets look for someone to replace Braxton Berrios as return specialist

After releasing Braxton Berrios, the Jets must find someone to return punts and kickoffs this season. And though Berrios tailed off last season, he was a Pro Bowl returner in 2021, so adequately replacing him won’t be so easy.

It’s a crowded competition, featuring Mecole Hardman, Alex Erickson, Zonovan “Bam” Knight, rookie Israel Abanikanda and possibly Randall Cobb. Undrafted free agents Travis Dye and Xavier Gipson are also in the mix.

Hardman and Erickson are the two to keep an eye on. Hardman is a burner who had a 104-yard kickoff return as a rookie with the Chiefs in 2019 and a 67-yard punt return for a TD the following season. He made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist his first season but returned only three kickoffs the past two seasons and had six punt returns in eight games in 2022. He’s also coming off core muscle surgery, so let’s see how much he plays in the preseason.

Erickson signed with the Jets last week and is the most experienced returner on the roster. He’s averaged 24.8 yards on 110 kickoff returns in seven NFL seasons and 8.0 yards on 162 punt returns. He’s also a wide receiver and likely needs to beat out undrafted free agents Brownlee and Irv Charles to be sixth receiver on the roster.

Abanikanda is an explosive running back but didn’t return punts in college. He did have a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2021. Lots of options.