When outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal this offseason, he returned to the team that drafted him after missing out on his desired long-term contract in free agency.

While Jenkins has something to prove before he hits free agency again next spring, his eye is on one thing ahead of a fifth NFL season with the Jets -- winning.

"Ultimately, I was just going to take it in stride -- you know, let things happen," Jenkins said. "A lot of unforeseen things happened in free agency. With the (coronavirus) pandemic outbreak, some guys didn't get what they're supposed to get and all this other stuff.

"But honestly, happy to be back with the Jets. Always loved (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) and the staff that's around here. And honestly, when I came here, the Jets didn't have really a winning history and it really sucks that in the last four years we couldn't get it done.

"But me being back here, being here four and going on five years, I'm tired of f---ing losing. So now, you've just got to ramp sh-t up and try to get the ball rolling."

Jenkins, 26, totaled 32 tackles -- including a career-high nine for loss and eight sacks -- through 14 games (13 starts) with the Jets in 2019. Returning to the Jets with Williams still calling the shots, Jenkins has a comfort level in a second-year scheme entering 2020.

"That's, honestly, a really great factor for this defense," Jenkins said of Williams. "We've got some new faces in here and being able to have the same defensive scheme ... it sort of puts you ahead of the ball. And the way we do stuff, the way we go through the plays and whatnot, we're ahead of the curve than we were this time last year.

"We didn't have OTAs and stuff like that, but guys, all the vets in each room, held each other accountable and made sure all the young guys learned the sh-t they're supposed to do. We're just ahead of things. Having Gregg back is going to be a great asset to the defense, it gives guys comfort in that you already know what you're supposed to do, so go out there and just do it."

Since the Jets selected Jenkins from Georgia with the No. 83 overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the team has not seen a winning season, going 21-43 through four years from 2016-19. After a 7-9 season in 2019, Jenkins is at the forefront of a potential turnaround for the Jets in 2020.

"Ultimately, it just (depends) on what we do, what we do as players and coaches," Jenkins said. "I'm not going to give a gauge on that. But hopefully, we're pretty f----ing close. And it's always been up to us to decide, whether we go out there and do it. All the talking -- all that's done. It's just time for us to go out and do it. And if we can't do it, get gone or step up."

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