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New York Jets: 3 Players with something to prove in 2018

By Stephen Smith

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings on field before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bridgewater begins the season on the physically unable to perform list. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings on field before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bridgewater begins the season on the physically unable to perform list. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings on field before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bridgewater begins the season on the physically unable to perform list. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings on field before the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bridgewater begins the season on the physically unable to perform list. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Here are three New York Jets players with something to prove in the forthcoming 2018 NFL season.

The most interesting and important storyline for the New York Jets leading up to the 2018 season opener in Detroit will be all about Sam Darnold. No doubt. When will he be ready to take over as Gang Green’s starting quarterback? Is Sam finally ready? They’ll be headlines galore about the USC star and whether he’ll be all set to begin to take the beleaguered Jets franchise to the promised land once and for all.

There are other questions to be answered as well. Coming off a 5-11 campaign, the Jets have a long way to go. There finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel though.

With that being said, here are three players that have something to prove this coming season. They all need to step up their individual performances moving forward. Let’s take a look at this talented trio:

Teddy Bridgewater

This one is very obvious. Whether he’s competing for a roster spot or auditioning for other NFL teams this summer, the 6-2, 215-pound signal-caller must prove he can stay on the gridiron as he continues to recover from the devastating knee injury in August 2016 that wiped out his entire 2016 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

A Pro Bowl performer in 2015, Bridgewater made a token appearance in the last game of the 2017 regular season for the Vikings. His last two NFL seasons have been virtually wiped out. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan figured he had nothing to lose so he took a flyer and signed the University of Louisville product to a one-year, $5 million pact back in March. Only $500,000 of that contract is guaranteed by the way. So why not?

The Miami, FL native is hoping to throw in OTAs this week. We’ll get a better read as to how his knee is holding up as he progressions through quarterback drills. Although he has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdown passes in 28 career starts, Bridgewater must prove he is healthy and can remain healthy.

Josh McCown, Sam Darnold and Christian Hackenberg compose the rest of the quarterback depth chart. Don’t be surprised if the Jets cut Hackenberg during the preseason. It’s time for Maccagnan to admit his mistake and move on.

Bridgewater has proven he can succeed on the pro level. He’s an outstanding athlete with mobility, fine arm strength and accuracy. If — a huge if — he can recover fully, Bridgewater has a good shot at securing the starting quarterback gig for New York on opening night against the Lions.

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