Hope has been the theme of the offseason for the Jets, but it’s going to take a lot more than that to overcome a daunting 2020 schedule.
Joe Douglas did a nice job addressing needs in free agency. He did an even better job in his first NFL draft as a general manager, landing New York a handful of players that can make an instant impact. Sam Darnold now has an upgraded crop of offensive linemen protecting him and two new weapons at wide receiver. Gregg Williams has numerous new defenders with track records of success that he can plug into his scheme.
Gang Green’s strong offseason, combined with the way the team ended in 2019, has given Jets fans reason to hope with the 2020 season approaching. Last season went off the rails due in large part to Darnold missing games at the beginning of the season, injuries on both sides of the ball and porous offensive line play throughout the year. With Darnold back for his third season, reinforcements in the trenches arriving and a clean team bill of health entering training camp, what is keeping the Jets from being a contender in 2020?
The simple answer is their schedule.
New York’s schedule this upcoming season is the second hardest in the NFL. The Jets have to take on both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, last year’s participants in the Super Bowl. They have to play the Seattle Seahawks on the road, a grueling task for any team. They also have to go up against the AFC South favorite Indianapolis Colts, an upstart Denver Broncos squad and Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.
Oh yeah, and they still have to play the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots a total of four times.
Unless Darnold takes a major step forward after two up-and-down seasons, the offensive line can consistently keep him clean and the pass defense drastically improves, the Jets are going to have issues competing in 2020. That might be a harsh take, but one that is extremely realistic considering the challenges New York will face throughout the season.
The Jets open the year on the road at Buffalo, a place they seldom win. They then host the defending NFC Champions, travel to Indianapolis to take on a Colts team that has the talent to win a division title and welcome the Broncos to town for a Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 4.
There is a legitimate possibility New York starts 2020 with an 0-4 record (or worse if you look further down the schedule). Unlike last season, there is no soft second-half slate to fall back on. Things only get harder as the season progresses. If a slow start occurs, it is going to be extremely tough for Adam Gase’s team to dig their way out of any sort of hole.
Let’s be clear — the 2020 season is not a lost cause. The Jets do have the talent to win games. It just remains to be seen if they can get it done against teams that are already established winners with Gase running the show. His track record indicates that it is unlikely to happen.
Anything can happen on any given Sunday. That is why the game is played. With that being, it might be time to gear up for another rough season at One Jets Drive. Based on the schedule and the deficiencies on the coaching staff and roster, it’s hard to really believe this is going to be the year the Jets get it right.