Jets preview: Grim outlook as rebuild takes shape
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports is providing five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, the New York Jets ...
1. Wilkerson pledged improvement, but not everyone is buying it
At a recent charity banquet, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said the Jets would win more games in 2017 than they did last season. Not exactly a bold prediction, considering New York is coming off a 5-11 season. Interestingly, Joe Namath, the quarterback who famously guaranteed a Jets upset in Super Bowl III, was at the same banquet. He seemed unimpressed. “Right now, I don’t think there are many teams wary of the Jets,” Namath said. “Until they start playing well, who’s going to respect them?” The Jets have not made the playoffs since 2010 and have losing records in three of the last five seasons.
2. Two rookies might start at safety from Day 1
The Jets used their first two 2017 draft picks on safeties — first-rounder Jamal Adams and second-rounder Marcus Maye. And don’t be surprised if both rookies are in the starting lineup for the opener. “I’ve seen it happen before,” coach Todd Bowles said. Fourth-year safety Calvin Pryor was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Marcus Gilchrist was released.
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3. McCown is the front-runner to win the QB race
Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown is expected to win the starting job and be the bridge quarterback for the Jets, who continue to look for their franchise guy. He will turn 38 in July and is with his eighth team in 15 years. Despite losing 20 of his last 22 starts and throwing 29 touchdown passes against 24 interceptions in that three-year stretch, McCown appears to be the best option. His role will include mentoring second-year pro Christian Hackenberg and third-year veteran Bryce Petty. If the Jets struggle as expected, Hackenberg will take his first NFL snaps this season. New York has a better read on Petty, who threw three touchdown passes against seven interceptions in six games last season. But Petty doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer.
4. Expectations are lowered even at the top
Owner Woody Johnson said the Jets would take a methodical approach to rebuilding and has asked fans to focus “on how we improved during the year,” not on wins and losses. It will be interesting to see if he’s patient with Bowles, who is 15-17 in two seasons. The Jets went 10-6 in Bowles’ first year, losing at the Buffalo Bills on the final day of the season to miss the playoffs.
5. There could be a changing of the guard at RB
Given Matt Forte’s age (31) and recent knee surgery and Bilal Powell’s late-season rush, it appears Powell will carry more of the workload this season. The 28-year-old running back finished strong in 2016, rushing for 411 yards and catching 21 passes for 141 yards while starting the final four games in place of Forte. The Jets will continue to use Forte, who had 1,076 yards from scrimmage. But they’ll probably rest him more because of the wear and tear from 2,770 touches during a nine-year career.
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