The Year 2021 was a strange one for Jets fans. It was filled with hope and promise and some talented young players – and the usual array of losing.
It brought the 11th straight season with the Jets missing the playoffs, but an overall sense that next year might actually be better, for a change.
Yeah, Jets fans have fallen for that bait and switch before. And even though you won’t believe it until you see it, here’s a look into my green crystal ball with 10 Jets predictions for the new year:
He has eight touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 12 games as a rookie this season, so this would be a significant leap. But, based on how he’s played in recent weeks, he’s ready – especially if he gets another receiver, maybe a tight end, and everyone is back healthy next season. He hasn’t had the results yet, but he’s shown tremendous growth and his talent is obvious. He has a good line in front of him and a strong running game with fellow rookie Michael Carter. The pieces will be there and he will be ready.
Theoretically, there’s no rush. He’s signed through 2022 ($4.9 million in salary and bonuses, with a cap number of $10.6 million) and there is no doubt the Jets will pick up his fifth-year option for 2023 when the deadline comes in May. That, I believe, will be worth a little less than $11 million. So why rush into a deal that likely will be worth $18-20 million per year with $40 million-plus guaranteed? Because the Jets love his play (13 sacks the last two seasons), his toughness (see how he battled through a shoulder injury recently), and his character (he’s the Jets’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award).
And at some point, for an organization to be taken seriously, they have to be seen taking care of their best players/people. The Jets don’t have a reputation for doing that. They’d argue they’re waiting for the right player. Williams is it. If it doesn’t happen this offseason, don’t be shocked if it happens early in the 2022 season instead. Otherwise, his price will only go up.
He struggled early as the offense and offensive line did, but he’s starting to show some real power and burst in his runs. He had 116 yards two weeks ago and had a 55-yard run last Sunday before leaving with a concussion. He’s got 620 yards in 13 games this season, so he’s not far off – and that’s despite a timeshare in the backfield. He’s earned more of a feature back role next season and he’ll get it. He’ll also show everyone why.
He tried to do that last year with Joe Thuney, before he took a five-year, $80 million deal from the Kansas City Chiefs. He definitely could target Washington’s Brandon Scherff if his medical evaluation checks out and Douglas doesn’t deem him too big of a risk. Another name to watch is Laken Tomlinson, a durable, 6-foot-3, 330-pounder who has thrived in San Francisco in the same blocking scheme the Jets run. There are other candidates, too, and the Jets have plenty of cap space to throw around.
There’s clearly some frustration with the Jets’ coaches that Becton ended up missing 15 games with what was supposed to be a four-to-eight week knee injury. There is also some frustration about his conditioning, which dates back to the summer. And some scouts believe that George Fant simply outperformed him when he took over at left tackle and that he’s a better fit for the Jets’ wide-zone-blocking scheme. The 6-foot-7, 363-pounder is too big and good to be abandoned, but he could fit nicely on the right side – if he can stay on the field.
They’re sitting right now on the fourth and seventh picks of the draft, which puts them in great position for two impact players. That won’t get them the top two pass rushers on the board, but it could get them the next best (Purdue’s George Karlaftis or maybe Michigan’s David Ojabo). They also could end up with the best receiver in the class at either spot. Take your pick this early, but Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, Alabama’s Jameson Williams, and Arkansas’ Treylon Burks will all be in the conversation.
It was odd that they were never serious players for the available tight ends last offseason, considering how important (and impactful) George Kittle was in the 49ers’ offense the Jets run. They have to upgrade over Ryan Griffin (27-261-2 in 14 games) and Tyler Kroft (15-168-1). The Miami Dolphins' Mike Gesicki (71-758-2) and Dallas Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz (75-787-6) are the top names available. Even the Giants’ Evan Engram (45-404-3) would be a significant upgrade, which says a lot about the state of the Jets’ tight ends in recent years.
That didn’t feel like a given early in the season, but he is committed to growing this team the right way, over time. Want to stunt that growth? Dump all these young players into a new system next year. He’s not going to do that. Besides, both guys can coach. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s scheme has looked much better in the second half of the season, and he’s been refreshingly creative and daring.
And while the results aren’t great for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, his unit has been crushed by injuries but they’ve played tough and individual players have improved. There may be some staff changes because there often is, and there may be some streamlining of the number of coaches in the quarterback’s ear. But the top assistants and their schemes will get a Year 2.
The cost will be $3.9 million, which is a significant jump over the original-round tender ($2.4 million), but the Jets won’t want to risk losing him for what would be a fifth-round pick. They believe he can be Wilson’s backup next season. But I still think the Jets are going to bring in an older veteran, too – something they should’ve done early this season. It could be Joe Flacco again. Maybe someone like Andy Dalton. Basically, a vet who knows his days as a starter are over, doesn’t mind being a mentor, and can step into the huddle in a pinch if Wilson gets hurt again.
Optimism about the Jets feels strange, and it has to be cautious considering they’re 4-12. But their young players have shown a lot of growth this season and the team is improving despite all of the injuries. Next year, for starters, they’ll get back pass rusher Carl Lawson, receiver Corey Davis, Becton, and they’ll keep their fingers crossed they get full seasons out of Wilson, Carter and Elijah Moore.
Plus they’ll add two Top 10 picks and have $60-70 million in salary cap space to spend on free agents, so they’ll probably have another pass rusher, another top receiver, maybe a guard, safety ... the possibilities are endless. This could be a quicker fix than it looks and a four-game improvement to 8-9 and the fringe of the playoffs doesn’t seem unrealistic at all.
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