The Future looks Bleak for the New York Jets
By Jon Dove
At the end of last season the arrow was pointing up for the New York Jets, but things have taken a dramatic turn.
The New York Jets looked at this year as a chance for them to make a playoff run and even an outside shot at the Super Bowl. However, things started off on the wrong foot when the team was unable to get Ryan Fitzpatrick under contract in a timely manner.
Fitzpatrick missed all of the offseason and had an obvious impact on the poor results this year. The team has now benched Fitzpatrick in favor of Geno Smith. This is a franchise that has already given Smith plenty of chances to seize the starting job. It’s unlikely he’s up to the task this time.
The quarterback situation is a bigger long-term issue than many realize. Once they move on from both Fitzpatrick and Smith it gets turned over to Christian Hackenberg. Jets fans should be a little worried about this proposition based on how Hackenberg looked in the preseason.
Even if Hackenberg has a quick turnaround, the rest of the offensive roster isn’t in great shape. The running game is led by the aging Matt Forte and the mediocre Bilal Powell. At wide receiver the Jets have the volatile Brandon Marshall and oft-injured Eric Decker.
Marshall is an elite player, but he’s not the easiest teammate to get a long with. He’s especially hard on his quarterbacks where he isn’t afraid to demand the ball or speak his mind.
The offensive line also needs a lot of work with aging vets like Breno Giacomini, Ryan Clady and Nick Mangold on the back end of their careers. Offensive line play will be critical to Hackenberg’s development thanks to his issues handling pressure.
It’s possible that in two years the Jets could be in need of a new quarterback, high end receiver, starting running back and several upgrades along the offensive line. The franchise will have a hard time realizing that this version of the roster has seen its window close.