As the New York Jets open training camp on July 28, these storylines will be in focus.
The New York Jets are scheduled to commence their 2020 training camp on July 28. Gang Green is coming off a 7-9 campaign last year and head coach Adam Gase will be on the hot seat to take his team to the next level.
That means not only getting over .500 but it means that the Jets need to contend for an AFC playoff spot, especially now that old nemesis Tom Brady has moved on from New England to Tampa Bay. Easier said than done.
With that being said, here are three key storylines for Gang Green and their outlook for the 2020 NFL season as they approach the opening of their training camp later this month.
New York Jets camp storyline No. 3: For whom the Bell tolls
Any way you slice it, three-time Pro Bowl halfback Le’Veon Bell struggled through his worst season in the NFL career. The Michigan State product rushed for just 789 yards (a 3.2 yards per carry average, the lowest of his career) and scored a meager four touchdowns.
Part of the reason was playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league in 2019. Another reason could be that he was shaking off a ton of rust after sitting out the 2018 campaign due to a contract dispute. Whatever the reasons were, things have to change dramatically moving forward.
General manager Joe Douglas made a real commitment to revamping the offensive line this offseason. He drafted huge offensive tackle Mekhi Becton of Louisville in the first round of the draft (11th overall) and added Alex Lewis, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten to solidify a porous O-line.
Bell, who specializes in waiting for a hole to open up, needs his line to help open those running lanes. Those lanes were virtually non-existent last season. An improved running attack also opens up better play-action opportunities for quarterback Sam Darnold. This is a huge season for Bell. He must live up to his big free-agent contract.
New York Jets camp storyline No. 2: Jamal or no Jamal?
Jets fans are probably sick of all the Jamal Adams talk at this point. The two-time Pro Bowl safety wants a new mega-dollar contract even though he still has two years remaining on his rookie contract. The former LSU star is undoubtedly the emotional and vocal leader of New York’s defense and you’d hate to have to trade him just when he is entering his prime.
However, if he becomes a big distraction or holds out for an extended period of time, then Douglas may feel it’s just not worth keeping him in green and white anymore.
Adams has demanded that he be traded, per the NY Post. Among the several teams that have expressed interest are the Dallas Cowboys, Adams’ “hometown” team, if you will, since he was born in nearby Lewisville, TX.
It’s time to seriously consider actually trading Adams, especially if you can receive a huge bundle (two first-round picks) in return. Adams is really good but, let’s face it — he’s not Ed Reed, Ronnie Lott or Troy Polamalu, not yet anyway. He’d be sorely missed but it may be time to just move on.
New York Jets camp storyline No. 1: My Kingdom for a Wide Receiver
The Jets enter training camp with one of the worst overall wide receiving corps in the NFL. Sad but true. Speed demon and dangerous vertical threat Robby Anderson took his talents to Carolina; his home run ability, if you will, will be sorely missed.
As presently constituted, Gang Green’s main depth chart looks like this: Breshad Perriman, Jamison Crowder (slot) and rookie Denzel Mims, New York’s second-round pick this year. Yikes.
While Jets fans ponder how Sam Darnold can succeed with that group, there is some upside here. Perriman finished with three consecutive 100-yard receiving efforts (with four touchdowns) for Tampa Bay last season and Crowder is one of the finest slot receivers in the league.
Mims will be key; can a rookie step up and make a huge difference? His ceiling is high coming out of Baylor but it usually takes wide receivers a couple of years to learn their full route tree and really make an impact. The return of tight end Chris Herndon, who was limited to just 18 snaps last year due to injuries and suspension, should help greatly.
Even with Bell being one of the better receiving backs in the league, this WR group leaves a lot to be desired. At least on paper. At least for now.