The Jets, as a team, have a lot to prove in 2020.

They’ll need to show the league their 7-9 2019 finish wasn’t a fluke or a product of their schedule and that Sam Darnold and the offense can compete with the best teams around. That’s a tall order for a relatively young team, and a lot will depend on what Joe Douglas accomplished this offseason in free agency and the draft. 

Players, too, will have a lot of pressure to display their abilities and continue to fight for their careers. Some Jets are young and looking to shake off some bust potential, while other veterans need to maintain they’re still a valued contributor on the team.

Here are six Jets with the most to prove this season.

Sam Darnold

Darnold isn’t fighting for his starting job or a new contract – yet – but  2020 will be pivotal for his development as he enters his third season as a pro. There is a lot of speculation that Darnold isn’t a franchise quarterback because he hasn’t shown significant improvement from college to Year 1 to Year 2. Some of that can be attributed to an inept offense and two different offensive schemes, but this year he won’t get the benefit of the doubt.

Darnold needs to prove not just to the Jets, but to the rest of the league, that he’s a legit quarterback. He’ll get his best chance since the Jets drafted him with a new offensive line, some new skill position players and a second year with Adam Gase. If Darnold can show he’s as good as advertised, he could earn a big contract extension, too.