Expectations for the Jets’ season are high and they should be.
Thoughts of making the playoffs are alive once again for the first time since the beginning of Todd Bowles’ second season after the Jets went 10-6 during his rookie season.
New head coach Adam Gase rekindled the ashes of three previous smoldering seasons with his apparent autocratic style. The Jets’ faithful further was reassured with the hire of new GM Joe Douglass, who has a proven track record in the league.
A big part of euphoria is Gase’s reputed ability to work well with quarterbacks, and he may have the perfect situation with second-year signal caller Sam Darnold, who quickly alleviated any fears after he threw an interception for a pick six on his first pass in the preseason. The rest of the season Darnold confirmed that he surely can be the team’s new franchise quarterback.
La’veon Bell was signed to provide the stable running game the team has desperately sought. Bilal Powell, who would have played that role last year before his season-ending injury, was resigned to give them one of the deeper groups in the league.
One of Douglass’ main priorities will be work on the offensive line, but the unit surely will benefit with the addition of former Raider guard Kelechi Osemele.
Linebacker CJ Mosley is one of the top gamechangers in the league, and he can ignite and cement a Jets’ defense that has been on the cusp of greatness both mentally and physically the past few seasons.
Former No. 1 pick Leonard Williams can take the cue from Mosley and finally live up to the potential and production expected from him.
Marcus Maye is back from injury at safety, and he and Jamal Adams can be an outstanding tandem.
Adams should be ready to expand his leadership role this winter. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson, a big- ticket purchase last season, needs to improve after being a bust last season.
On the surface and baring injuries, this should be a team that can contend for the usual New England Patriot-AFC East title. They also should be in the running for a wildcard.
The Jets will get their first test against New England in Massachusetts in the third week of the season.
They also host the new-look Browns in a Sunday night battle a week prior. In fact, the early returns will be finished after the first six weeks when the play New England twice along with Dallas, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville.
The excitement is back and deservingly so. The Jets filled the holes they needed and their younger players have showed all the signs of further development.
On July 24, the new regime officially gets underway. By November 1, the anticipation will be justified or deflated.