One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 21, 2021

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Running back Curtis Martin (28) of the New York Jets in game action against the Cincinnati Bengals. The New York Jets went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals a final score of 15 to 14 on 12/16/01 ? Mitchell B. Reibel (Photo by Mitchell Reibel/Getty Images) /

New York Jets: Curtis Martin, Running Back

New York Jets rookie head coach Robert Saleh has a tough task ahead of him in turning this franchise around. The good news is, he was arguably the best hire of the offseason and has proven that he can get it done as a defensive coach.

His unit in San Francisco took the team all the way to the Super Bowl following the 2019 season and much of that was thanks to elite defensive play and ball-control offense. Right now, the Jets are working toward rebuilding that defense and they added a couple of solid options to help them improve in Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankins, and Jarrad Davis.

Their additions weren’t limited to defense either as New York signed wide receiver Corey Davis but then added some explosiveness in Elijah Moore in the draft. Of course, the entire thing comes down to Zach Wilson who will be the starting quarterback but what if he had an elite running back to turn to?

New York wisely added Tevin Coleman who is a solid option and drafted Michael Carter but neither of them can hold a candle to what they had from 1998 through 2005 in Curtis Martin. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2004 NFL Rushing leader with 1,697 yards that season — which was even more remarkable to accomplish since he was 31 — Martin started his career with the New England Patriots before heading to the Jets where he continued to bulldoze defenders.

In 11 seasons, he had 14,101 yards and 90 touchdowns on the ground and 3,329 and 10 more touchdowns through the air. His addition would give the offense instant credibility while allowing Wilson to lean on someone capable of moving the chains.

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