New York Jets: Schedule, record prediction, X-factors for 2021 NFL season
By Tadhg Flynn
The New York Jets kick off their 2021 NFL season against the Panthers in Week 1. But what kind of year is ahead for Robert Saleh in his first campaign?
Things are changing for the New York Jets coming into the 2021 NFL season. Not only does former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh enter his first year as a head coach (in New York or anywhere) but the Jets are also turning the page at quarterback, handing the keys to No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Zach Wilson.
Hope in the Big Apple is that these changes, among others, will usher in a more successful era for the Jets, a franchise that has been mired in disappointment for years since their Mark Sanchez-led run to the AFC Championship Game. Perhaps that’s the case, but will it start in 2021?
Before the New York Jets kick off in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, we’re previewing the team and what they could do in the upcoming 2021 campaign.
New York Jets 2020 season and 2021 offseason recap
The New York Jets had an entirely disappointing year in 2020. They had a season record of 2-14. Adam Gase was dismissed as head coach after a meandering two years in charge, culminating in the Jets winning a meaningless game on the last weekend of the season. This resulted in their year not even being bad enough to secure the No. 1 pick in April’s draft and generational prospect Trevor Lawrence.
Fans shouldn’t be too disappointed with how things have played out though. Their consolation prize with No. 2 in the 2021 NFL Draft was Zach Wilson, and people have been raving about his possible ceiling in the years to come. His talent is undeniable, and if the franchise can surround him with the right teammates and the correct backroom structure, they can look forward to future success.
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Some corners of the internet will point out that the Jets franchise have been the pushover of the AFC East for many years, and fans will probably wait to see proof before they get too excited. The past few months may be an indication of why they don’t want to get their hopes up too high.
The 2021 offseason has been a harrowing experience for Jets fans with bad luck at every turn. A defense hopeful for a turnaround under Robert Saleh has taken hits. Injuries have plagued the team throughout this offseason and have decimated their core groups.
Key defensive pieces such as both defensive ends Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry, alongside cornerback Zane Lewis, have been ruled out for the season. Overhauling the expectation of the franchise will be difficult enough without the slate of injuries that they have faced, and this kind of luck in the offseason does not bode well for the season ahead.