New York Jets have the look of a long year ahead without surprises
Few people believe in the New York Jets, whether we’re talking local fans or the pundits at large.
It’s not hard to understand the skepticism. New York hasn’t won the Super Bowl — or even appeared in it — since the 1968 season. The Jets haven’t been to the playoffs in a decade, when Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez were leading the charge.
In short, Gang Green is long on rough history and short on any tangible success.
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Enter 2020. The Jets come into the season looking at a wide open AFC East for the first time in 20 seasons, thanks to the departure of Tom Brady from the New England Patriots. However, New York appears unable to capitalize on the shift, because the defense lost linebacker C.J. Mosley to a COVID opt out, and All-Pro safety Jamal Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
Offensively, running back Le’Veon Bell and head coach Adam Gase have seemingly never been on the same page, something which has carried into the summer. Looking at the depth chart, New York is relying heavily on rookie wideout Denzel Mims, who has missed ample time with a hamstring injury. Without him, it’s Jamison Crowder and little else of note on the perimeter for third-year starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold desperately needs to break out after two middling seasons in Gotham. Â The front office. has done him few favors, giving him one of the more unproven and barren receiving corps in the game. Yet general manager Joe Douglas talked on Monday, saying. he feels the roster is being undersold, per ESPN:
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“Obviously, there were good players that were on this team last year that aren’t playing this year. But just going through this camp, I can tell you there are some guys on this team that may not be household names, but they are good football players. Their mission is to go out and become a household name.”
Maybe Douglas is right. After all, there are always a few teams which surprise us. Three years ago, most thought the Buffalo Bills would be locking up the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. They ended up breaking an extended playoff draught.
However, the New York Jets would need something akin to that run to reach the postseason. Right now, it appears the team is lacking in most areas, something it has been guilty of for quite some time.
