When it comes to leadership and the New York Jets, a few different players have defined the word in their own way over the last few years.
Jamal Adams, for example, had no problem being loud and, when necessary, critical, though his image as a leader certainly took a hit in the months prior to his trade to Seattle. Then there’s C.J. Mosley, who was supposed to be New York’s defensive signal-caller last season before a groin injury ruined his first season with the Jets. Nonetheless, he wowed with his leadership abilities last year, but now he’s opted out of the 2020 season. With him and Adams gone, there’s a sizeable void on Gang Green’s defense and in its locker room.
That’s where Steve McLendon comes in.
Never one to seek the spotlight, McLendon has been a quiet leader since joining the Jets in 2016. A soft-spoken, lead by example presence, McLendon won’t replicate Adams or even Mosley’s leadership style, but his teammates will look to him as they navigate an uncertain season.
“We want to stay singularly focused on the task at hand,” McLendon told the team website following the Adams trade. “Our mindset doesn’t change no matter who’s in that huddle or wearing a helmet, it doesn’t change.”
The Jets are fortunate that even with two notable departures on defense, the team has a more than capable group of leaders, even beyond McLendon. Right now, Adam Gase is comfortable with where the team stands in that department.
“That is probably an area I feel great about right now as far as our leadership goes,” Gase told reporters last week. “When you are lucky enough to coach a team that has a Steve McLendon on it, Jordan Jenkins, Brian Poole, Alex Lewis, Sam (Darnold), Le’Veon (Bell), (Jamison) Crowder, Jonotthan Harrison…you have guys that have experience and you have guys that are very strong-minded.”
Although the Jets have veterans like Avery Williamson, Frank Gore and Joe Flacco, in addition to the players Gase named, McLendon is one of the longest-tenured players on the team. He knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL thanks to his Pittsburgh days and his voice should be among the clearest, if not loudest, in the locker room.
McLendon’s leadership has already been on full display this offseason. When the Jets were unable to work out at the team’s facilities in Florham Park back in May, McLendon opened up his gym in Georgia so his teammates could come train.
His ability to help the Jets through an unprecedented offseason demonstrates how his value goes beyond the field. Last year, Joe Douglas quickly realized how important McLendon is on and off the field and signed him to a one-year extension.
Those within the organization have sung McLendon’s praises. Jets’ defensive line coach Andre Carter has witnessed McLendon’s leadership skills on full display and noticed how the younger players tend to flock to him. He’s a vital figure for a young and impressionable defensive line, which includes Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, Nathan Shepherd and Kyle Phillips.
“He’s definitely the leader of the team,” Carter said. “He’s very vocal, but he lives by what he preaches and the younger players follow him.”
McLendon’s ability to command the respect of his peers clearly hasn’t gone unnoticed. With coaching and leadership more important now than it’s ever been, the Jets will look to players like McLendon to be their guiding light through these unparalleled times.