[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]
It’s imperative that players and coaches are always on the same page in the NFL. One little difference in philosophy or opinion could be the direct result of a unit falling into a tailspin instead of trending in the right direction.
It took two months to accomplish at One Jets Drive, but it looks like the quarterback and head coach are finally in cohesion regarding the direction of the offense.
Following New York’s 29-15 loss to the Jaguars in Week 8, Sam Darnold had a conversation with Adam Gase to discuss the pros and cons of Gase’s offensive scheme. The discussion could’ve gone nowhere if Gase remained stubborn in his ways, a personality trait that contributed to his downfall with the Dolphins. Instead, the first-year Jets coach listened to his quarterback and absorbed his input.
The end result? A potential turning point in the direction of the offense and Darnold’s development.
There’s no sense in running an offense in which the quarterback is uncomfortable with its inner workings. Throughout the first half of the season, Gase did most of the talking and Darnold did the majority of the listening regarding New York’s offensive gameplans. While this painted a clear picture of what Gase expected out of him, the USC product’s input was limited until two months into the season. At that point, he felt comfortable enough to dish out his thoughts on the Jets’ offense.
Since the conversation in Gase’s office took place, the Jets have gone 2-1 and now sit at 3-7. It’s not an ideal record, but a welcomed one considering how bad the team looked in losses to the Patriots and Jaguars. Darnold also looks more like the quarterback who ended 2018 on a hot streak, passing for 783 yards, six touchdowns and only two interceptions in New York’s last three games.
“I think the whole offense is really getting a feel for the offense,” Darnold said. “I think, just getting in that rhythm and being able to understand exactly what’s going on out there really allows us to play a lot faster.”
It’s no surprise that the Jets are suddenly in a rhythm offensively after Darnold’s meeting with Gase. It has taken longer than many expected, but New York’s offense is finally showing promise. That can be attributed to Darnold voicing his opinion and getting a better understanding of the operation.
With Gase set to return in 2020 and now on the same page with his franchise quarterback, the Jets offense should only get better from here. New York’s competition hasn’t been stiff the past couple of weeks, but don’t be surprised if Gang Green’s efficiency on offense becomes a regular occurrence for the rest of the regular season and beyond.