How Can the Jets Improve for the Up-and-Coming Season?

The New York Jets missed out on the playoffs once again as their streak extends another year, having not played playoff football since 2010. It has been a difficult season for the Jets who in January of 2021 hired Robert Saleh as head coach on a five-year-contract.

Since that 2010 play-off appearance they have only once had a winning season in 2015 and they finish last in the AFC East once again this season.

2021 ended with a 27-10 defeat to divisional rivals the Buffalo Bills. It left the New York Jets bottom of the AFC East standings after four wind and 13 defeats across the year. They were the only side with a losing record in the division with the third placed Miami Dolphins recording nine wins and eight defeats.

This was Saleh’s first season as a head coach after having been an assistant at different sides since bringing college coaching in 2002, including the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

With 2021 in the bag, preparations for 2022 will begin now and punters will no doubt be predicting a similar year next season. With gambling law changes across the US there are a number of legal ways for punters to bet on the season ahead, as listed at OLBG. Odds will currently suggest another year away from the playoffs, but free agency and the draft may change people’s views on where the Jets will finish in 2022.

Rookies to hero’s

This year though there were a number of rookies who showed flashes of potential, even outshining a number of veteran players like Corey Davis who struggled to live up to his price tag. Injuries may have hampered them as much, if not more, than other sides, but this year will not be one to look back fondly on.

The Jets made Zach Wilson their number one pick in the draft in 2021 and the quarter back is part of a full rebuild in the offense. It has been a difficult introduction to the NFL for Wilson who started brightly despite throwing an interception in the first half of his debut he finished with 258 passing yards and two touchdowns as well as a rushing 2-point conversion. The game showed promise despite finishing in defeat, though this was quickly eradicated when in his second match he threw four interceptions and then threw for only 160 yards and two interceptions in a shutout loss to the Denver Broncos.

Michael Carter has been one of the standout players for the Jets this season from running back. He has been their most dynamic and explosive offensive player having been drafted from North Carolina in the fourth round.  

Corey Davis and Jamieson Crowder were expected to provide rookie quarter back Zach Wilson with passing options, but it has been Elijah Moore who has received the most targets and recorded ………. Moore is another in their rookie season and was drafted in the second round by the Jets form Ole Miss in 2021.

2021 has shown that the defense is a long way behind what it needs to be to compete in the NFL, though it must be highlighted that they do have one of the youngest rosters in the league, along with a brand-new coach.

The 2022 draft and free agency will likely see some focus on the defensive side of the ball as well as on the offensive line to protect Wilson who was constantly under pressure when on the field.  Alijah Vera-Tucker has been had a strong rookie season and been a positive in an otherwise concerning offensive line. Having traded up for him in the draft in 2021. He is a promising part of the future if they can continue his improvement in the right direction.

Tight End may be an area they look to improve should the price be right with a number of experienced players hitting free agency in 2022. Players like Zach Ertz at the top end, or even Dalton Schultz who has had a solid season with the Dallas Cowboys are currently set to be available in the off-season.

2021 was Saleh’s first as a head coach, setting up his side in free agency and the draft, as well as leading a side I the NFL. He will have taken a lot from a difficult season and preparations for 2022 will be well under way.

Fierce competition

They are in a difficult division with three strong sides, the top two especially (Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots) being considered competitors for the Super Bowl more often than not in recent years. Going up against an NFL coaching legend like Bill Belichick of the Patriots will be a huge task again next season for Saleh.

With this experience you would hope to see some improvements and a coherent plan in place for the Jets improvement in 2022, though it will be fair not to expect too big a bounce for a young, developing side.