New York Jets: 4 Players facing most pressure in 2019
The New York Jets are trying to reinvent themselves. Here are four players with the most pressure on them in the 2019 season.
The New York Jets are trying to reinvent themselves. They have new uniforms, a new head coach (Adam Gase) and a brand new general manager (Joe Douglas). Now they need to win some football games. Amidst all the big offseason moves, it’s all for naught if the team isn’t successful in Weeks 1-17.
As Gang Green tries to rebound from a dreadful 4-12 campaign last year, here we take a look at four players that will have the most pressure on them in 2019.
4. Le’Veon Bell: The bell cow halfback signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract as the prize NFL free agent in March so there will be enormous pressure on him to live up to that huge bundle of cash. The 27-year old Bell sat out the 2018 season with the Steelers due to a contract dispute so it will be interesting to see if all that time off gave him a chance to heal or created a great deal of rust.
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Any way you slice it, Bell is a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the premier pass-catching running backs as well. He’ll be counted on to help boost a Gang Green offense that averaged just 20.8 points per game (23rd in the NFL) in 2018.
3. Sam Darnold: There is always pressure on the quarterback, right? Playing in New York just magnifies that pressure but the USC product should be up to the task. Darnold had an up-and-down rookie season last year (17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions) but concluded the season on a high note (six touchdowns, one interception in his last four outings).
He’ll work under the guidance of head coach Adam Gase, who is known as something of a quarterback guru. Darnold has some improved weapons around him this year (Bell, Jamison Crowder), so he must continue to develop and show progress in his reads and decision-making. He has the talent to be a franchise signal-caller.
2. Trumaine Johnson: The veteran cornerback was a total bust last year. This was one of former general manager Mike Maccagnan’s worst free agent signings (five years, $72.5 million). Not only did Johnson miss six games last year with injuries, but he was also ineffective when he did suit up. He recorded four interceptions and a touchdown but he did not display the impressive press corner skills he showed in his first six campaigns with the Rams.
Johnson is now reunited with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams this upcoming season, a coach he played very well for with the Rams. Maybe that will wake him up. Johnson needs to bounce back in a big way. The Jets must have genuine buyer’s remorse over this signing.
1. Robby Anderson: The lanky speedster is going to be playing for a new contract in 2020, so he needs to rebound from a down season last year (50 receptions, 752 yards, six touchdowns). Entering his fourth NFL campaign, the Temple product has to expand his route tree and become more than just a “go route” wide receiver.
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The Jets would love for him to turn into a true No. 1 receiver but Anderson has to continue to develop and mature off the field. He has scintillating speed, something you can’t teach, but he has to get stronger and be able to make the tough reception in traffic. His incentive level should be sky-high playing for what he hopes will be a long-term lucrative contract next year.