New York Jets: Quincy Enunwa extension big for future
The New York Jets have signed wide receiver Quincy Enunwa to an extension, and it’s huge for the foreseeable future of the organization.
The New York Jets have made their first move of 2019, and it comes at the end of 2018. According to multiple reports (with Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly the first to report), they have signed Quincy Enunwa to a contract extension. It’s reportedly a four-year extension worth a maximum of $36 million.
Over the last two seasons, Enunwa has had some injury issues. However, re-signing him was a must because of the chemistry him and Sam Darnold had developed before the injury this season. After Enunwa got hurt, Darnold has turned to Chris Herndon, and now the Jets have two guys he can rely on heading into the 2019 season. That’s huge for a young quarterback.
When you look at the Kansas City Chiefs and the jump Patrick Mahomes made in his second year, it was greatly due to having multiple targets to throw to. He doesn’t have one go-to guy. He trusts multiple receivers, and, as a result, feels comfortable scanning the field and finding the open receiver.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Early on in 2018, we could definitely see that Darnold locked in heavily on Enunwa. The Jets can focus on landing a second wide receiver option and offensive line in the draft, and go all-in on landing Le’Veon Bell now.
Bell is a talented back, but his success isn’t all him. It’s a combination of things: a talented offensive line and good wide receivers. The receivers force the opposing defenses to not stack the box.
Part of the reason the Jets running game is limited is the poor offensive line. The other is that, due to an average receiving core, defenses stack the box to stop the run. According to NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats, Isaiah Crowell has face eight or more defenders in the box 26.57 percent of the time, which is 12th most in the NFL. Conversely, the back who is considered to be among the best in the NFL, Todd Gurley, has faced eight or more in the box 8.2 percent of the time.
Injuries are a concern, but there’s one way to alleviate that concern. Stop putting Enunwa in the slot where he’s more susceptible to injury.
Enunwa has potential to be one of the best No. 2 options in the NFL. We know Darnold trusts him, and locking him up was key.
The extension also could give us a glimpse into what the Jets are thinking with their front office. This signing is likely a sign that Mike Maccagnan will keep his job. However, the Jets have to do more with him if they want a good coach to come to New York.
They should let Maccagnan go, but allowing to re-sign players makes no sense if the organization plans on doing that. That means, when the inevitable termination of Todd Bowles happens, the Jets need to extend Maccagnan’s contract this way a new head coach will be more comfortable with being there for the long-haul.
Next. NFL Week 17, 2018: 20 Bold predictions to consider. dark
Stability up top, players to work with, and a franchise quarterback are important for the next head coach. The ripple effect of the extension will be felt throughout the organization. The arrow is pointing up for the Jets, and it’s about time.