Jets legend Curtis Martin has high expectations for his former squad.

The Hall of Fame running back thinks another year in Adam Gase’s offense will do wonders for Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell, and Martin believes that will catapult the Jets to something they haven’t accomplished in a decade.

“I’m actually expecting them to at least be in the playoffs this year,” Martin said. “I’m glad that Sam Darnold has another year under his belt because I think he has all the qualities to be a very special quarterback in this league.”

Martin, who spoke to Jets Wire while promoting Pepsi’s Tailgate in a Box sweepstakes, said he’s is especially excited to watch the dynamic backfield of Bell and Frank Gore. The duo complements each other’s style of running, Martin said, and will play an integral role in the tutelage of rookie La’Mical Perine.

“Le’Veon is the shiftier, kind of pick-your-hole running back. And I think that Frank Gore is a great one-two punch,” Martin said. “I think that they make a great combination.” 

Martin would know. He’s sixth on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaderboard with 14,001 yards and he’s the Jets’ franchise leading rusher by more than 2,000 yards. His advice to Perine: study Bell and Gore.

“There’s a wealth of knowledge to be passed down to the younger guys, Martin said. “When I came in as a rookie, the one thing I wanted to do was to quietly study the guys who had been around for a long time– and not just running backs, but, you know, players who had just been in the league. I wanted to see what type of professional they were. I wanted to see how they carried themself, the things they do, the things they don’t do.”

Though the Jets severely underperformed in 2019, Martin thinks improved chemistry will be the key for the Jets’ return to the postseason.

“The more time you get together, and the more you practice those things over and over, I believe the more second nature they become,” he said. “And I think that that’s what we’re starting to see with the Jets team because they are a pretty young team. And now that – as they are all maturing together – I think they’re going to play better together.” 

That won’t come easy during an offseason ruined by the coronavirus pandemic, but Martin says the cure-all is an intense study habit to catch everybody up to speed quickly. 

“I think it comes down to the basics,” Martin continued. “You have to study hard. You have to work harder. And you probably have to spend more time together – as much time as you can – because this is a very odd season. It’s unprecedented. So no one really knows how to do it the right way.

Martin compared the pandemic-riddled offseason to a blizzard on the field. Every team is fighting the same battle, so no one holds a true advantage.

“So it becomes no excuse,” he concluded.

This season will be different for a lot of reasons, least of which will be playing without fans. MetLife Stadium is among those who won’t allow fans to attend games, something Martin could only describe as “different” for every NFL player in 2020. While it will be strange not to hear fans cheer from the stands, Martin also believes most players “tune most of that out” when they start playing.

“It will be different. But we’re professionals, you know? We adjust to whatever the circumstances are,” Martin said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a blizzard outside or there’s no fans. We still have to go out there and play. We’ll miss them. I’m sure the players can’t wait till the fans are back in the stadium. But you know, they still have a job to do.”