New York Jets: 3 Burning questions entering 2019 training camp

The New York Jets begin their 2019 training camp on July 24. Here are three burning questions that need to be answered for Gang Green.

Training camp for the New York Jets commences on July 24, which is now less than two weeks away. And there will be some key questions that need to be answered for Gang Green moving forward.

This is a transition year for the green and white: new uniforms, a new head coach and hopefully a much-improved campaign from the 4-12 disaster of a year ago.

With that being said, here are three important questions that need to be answered entering Jets camp.

3. Will Sam Darnold continue his development as the team’s franchise quarterback?

The USC product struggled out of the gate in his rookie season, as most players do, but showed encouraging signs over the last quarter of 2018. Darnold threw six touchdown passes with just one interception over his final four contests and ended the year with 2,865 passing yards in all.

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The 6-3, 225-pounder will get to work with head coach Adam Gase, who as offensive coordinator, guided Jay Cutler to his finest QB rating of his career (92.3) with the Bears in 2015.

Gase was also the offensive coordinator in Denver in 2013 when Peyton Manning tossed a NFL-record 55 touchdown passes. Then again, Gase never did much with Ryan Tannehill in Miami so the jury is still out.

Darnold has some improved weapons to throw to this coming season in Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder. It’s vital that Darnold continues to progress and develop into a premier franchise signal-caller this coming season. Without question.

2. Will the defense be much improved from 2018?

It has nowhere to go but up. The Jets owned one of the worst defenses in the league last year. They ranked 29th in points allowed per game (27.6), 26th in rushing defense (126.3 yards per game) and 24th in pass defense (254.1 yards per game). Something had to change.

It did as Gregg Williams was hired as defensive coordinator and there will be some new marquee players on that side of the ball in 2019. Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley (formerly of the Ravens) was signed as a free agent and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Alabama) was selected with the third overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

If Leonard Williams and Trumaine Johnson can bounce back from disappointing 2018 campaigns, Gang Green will have the makings of a truly viable unit. I’m still concerned about their cornerbacks because Darryl Roberts is their current starter. Safety Marcus Maye has to stay healthy while Jamal Adams is already a Pro Bowl performer at the safety position.

With the fiery Williams leading them on, look for New York’s defense to improve substantially this coming season.

1. How effective will Le’Veon Bell be after a year off from football?

It will be interesting to see how much rust the three-time Pro Bowler needs to scrape off after sitting out last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a contract dispute. The year off from football may actually have benefited him by allowing Bell to take a break from the physical beating that all running backs go through in the punishing world of the NFL.

Bell is still in his prime at age 27 and he should be ready to go after some limited pre-season action. What concerns me more is New York’s offensive line. Gang Green’s offensive line leaves much to be desired, especially compared to the Steelers.

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Will the Jets offensive line give the Michigan State product time to wait and find a hole to run through? That’s his specialty and it remains to be seen how effective it will be. We all know what a great receiver out of the backfield Bell is. How much daylight he’ll see on running plays remains to be seen.

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