New York Jets Training Camp Primer: What’s new and what to expect

After a rather chaotic offseason, Gang Green returns to One Jets Drive on Tuesday for the start of training camp.

After a rather chaotic offseason, Gang Green returns to One Jets Drive on Tuesday for the start of training camp.

The last few months have been awfully busy for Gang Green. Joe Douglas got his first crack at free agency and the NFL draft, Woody Johnson was accused of racism, sexism and corruption, and star safety Jamal Adams successfully forced his way out of New York. Oh, and there was also, you know, the NFL trying to navigate a global pandemic.

COVID-19 and safety protocols will remain at the forefront of the discussion as the Jets and every other team opens up camp. As we’ve already seen with other sports leagues, coronavirus is the story right now, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon.

With that noted, there are plenty of on-field matters to discuss in regards to the Jets, many of which we at Jets Wire have already written about in great detail. As for this article? Let it serve as a brief refresher for the offseason and a look at training camp and the uncertain season ahead.

Key Additions

Free Agent Signings: WR Breshad Perriman, WR Josh Doctson, RB Frank Gore, QB Joe Flacco, QB David Fales*, OL Alex Lewis*, OL Connor McGovern, OL George Fant, OL Greg Van Roten, OL Josh Andrews, CB Pierre Desir, CB Brian Poole*, CB Arthur Maulet*, LB Jordan Jenkins*, LB Patrick Onwuasor, LB Neville Hewitt*, LB James Burgess*

*Re-signed

Trade Acquisitions: S Bradley McDougald, CB Quincy Wilson

Draft Picks: OL Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims, DB Ashtyn Davis, EDGE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perin, QB James Morgan, CB Bryce Hall, P Braden Mann

Undrafted Free Agents: OL Jared Hilbers, EDGE Bryce Huff, WR Lawrence Cager, WR George Campbell

Key Departures

QB Trevor Siemian, WR Robby Anderson, WR Demaryius Thomas, RB Ty Montgomery, RB Bilal Powell, OL Ryan Kalil, OL Kelvin Beachum, OL Brandon Shell, LB Brandon Copeland, CB Darryl Roberts, CB Trumaine Johnson, S Jamal Adams, S Rontez Miles

Potential Summer Salary Cap Cuts

OL Brian Winters, LB Avery Williamson

Position Battles to Watch

No. 2 WR: It’s Mims vs. a field of journeymen. The second-round pick is the clear favorite.

No. 2 CB: Bless Austin faces a challenge from Wilson and Hall, among others.

No. MLB: Who will be C.J. Mosley’s partner up the middle? Williamson is playing for his roster spot and fending off Blake Cashman and Onwuasor.

No 2. OLB: A few unprovens are vying to play opposite Jenkins: namely Tarell Basham, Zuniga and Huff. Chances are all three see decent playing time this season.

RT: Free agent signing Fant vs. sophomore Chuma Edoga.

K: Sam Ficken has never been the most accurate kicker. Neither has Brett Maher. Who can miss the fewest field goals this summer?

What Could Go Right?

The Jets believe they can contend in a wide-open AFC East in 2020, even after trading Adams. To do that, they’re going to need a dramatic turnaround from an offense that finished last or close to it in nearly every conceivable category last year.

The plan? Douglas spent most of his offseason revamping the Jets offensive line — New York could have five new starters in the trenches this season. The goal is to get Darnold more time to throw and Le’Veon Bell more holes to run through. If all that happens, Darnold could finally have his breakout season despite the lack of star power around him. The quarterback has shown flashes through his first two NFL seasons, but, even with a strong defense, the Jets are going to need a Pro Bowl-caliber year from him if they want to be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season.

What Could Go Wrong?

A lack of face-to-face time during the offseason could seriously hinder a team with so many new additions. Chemistry was a problem for the Jets offensive line last year — and that was without a global pandemic getting in the way.

Even if that’s not an issue in 2020, it remains to be seen if the pieces the Jets brought in were enough. Douglas wasn’t able to get the cream of the crop linemen available, failed to find Darnold a true No. 1 receiver and continued the tradition of ignoring Gang Green’s pass-rush. Throw in an incredibly difficult schedule, and this has the makings of a long season in New York.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Adam Gase didn’t make it through to the end.

Expectations

Entering training camp, it’s hard to say the Jets are any better than the third-best team in the division. There are still serious holes at important positions and little proven talent around Darnold.

While Gregg Williams should have no issue producing another impressive defense, Gase gave little reason to believe he can turn the offense around. With so many challenging games on the docket and not enough talent to match, this Jets team would be lucky to go .500 in 2020.