The New York Jets are headed toward 0-16 but also toward Trevor Lawrence.
If the New York Jets can find any solace in their 40-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 14, they are just games away from drafting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. However, as reiterated a number of times, if all goes as planned, the team will finish with the third 0-16 team in the history of the NFL, joining the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns.
If fans were to see the performance on Sunday, New York showed all of the signs of a team clearly looking to tank further than the depths they have reached. The previous week featured a blown coverage against the Raiders which resulted in then defensive coordinator Gregg Williams receiving his walking papers.
The question of why head coach Adam Gase is still employed remains unanswered — although this could be due to him guiding the team towards the official mark of winless, which might be the ultimate goal of the franchise at this point.
Offensively, quarterback Sam Darnold looked more broken than ever but how can a quarterback play well without the requisite parts needed for a victory? Additionally, it was a defense that featured Jamal Adams, the former Jet. The Jets defense, on the other hand, let Russell Wilson look like his old MVP self from the start of the season.
The New York Jets are heading for the prize while sacrificing a season.
It’s hard not to feel bad for some of the Jets players, particularly the youngsters, who are essentially sacrificing a year for the future. But to expect something when those who are supposed to be leading them are at an incompetent level is unreasonable.
Darnold will likely be traded and, in fairness to him, not everything was his fault and he wasn’t the one to make the wrong personnel decisions nor was he the one who chose the head coach. He cannot be fully absolved however as his erratic and disappointing play has played a large part in contributing to this season.
There are only three weeks left in the season and the prize of the golden arm from Clemson is within reach. Meanwhile, the Jets are approaching history for the wrong reason. But if their dream does come true, it will be worth the risk to have a potential generational talent under center.