The New York Jets look to start anew once again. What are the team’s biggest concerns that must be addressed over the next few months?
Back in 2015, the New York Jets began their latest new era with the hiring of general manager Mike Maccagnan and while naming Todd Bowles head coach. The team failed to make the playoffs that year, but finished with a promising 10-6 record. All told, this franchise looked like it was headed in the right direction.
But these past three seasons have been nothing short of a disastrous. The team is a combined 14-34 in its last 48 outings. The Jets have lost at least 11 games each of these past 3 seasons. And now there’s a new man in charge on the sidelines as one time Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase takes over for Bowles.
In any case, here are five issues that the new sideline leader, Maccagnan and the organization may want to address this offseason.
5. Emphasize the running game
The offensive numbers for the Green and White in 2018 were pretty sad indeed. Only three teams in the NFL gained fewer yards per game. All told, the New York Jets ranked 26th in the league when it came to running the football and were 25th in passing yards per contest. The club manage a total of 29 offensive touchdowns in their 16 outings.
New York did finish 23rd in the league in points scored. But that number may have been far worse if it were not for three interceptions returned for touchdowns and both a punt and a kickoff taken back for scores by Pro Bowler Andre Roberts.
Only six teams in the league this past season gained fewer yards per game on the ground (101.4 average) than the Jets. But if you somehow remove the team’s 323 yards on the ground in a Week 5 victory over the visiting Denver Broncos, the team managed a mere 86.6 yards per game rushing in their other 15 outings.
If the offensive line can raise its game (more on that later) and new head coach Adam Gase wants to keep second-year quarterback Sam Darnold out of harm’s way, the Jets must make the running back more of a priority.