New York Jets Offseason Panic Mode: 2021 Edition

The New York Jets didn’t have a very strong season in 2020 and 2021 might not be their year either. While they have a ton of cap space and the free-agent pool is loaded, they may have plenty of needs that won’t gel right away and could get off to a slow start. Throw in a quarterback controversy before their second overall pick is added and Jets fans could have reason to panic in 2021.

Quarterback Controversy

No matter if they win on Sunday, the Jets are locked into the second pick overall for the 2021 NFL Draft. Much like Miami and Tua in 2020, there was talk of NY “Tanking for Trevor” in order to secure the Clemson QB, Trevor Lawrence. When the Jets upset both the Rams and the Browns they’d give up the #1 pick to the always struggling Jacksonville Jaguars. There’s a large QB class coming out of this year’s draft so NY could still pick one early. There’s also the chance they go out and sign a free agent this offseason and push Sam Darnold for one more year while spending on weapons.

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Adam Gase

Gase was once thought of like everything he touched turned to gold. Then came his time with the struggling Dolphins and now struggling Jets. He’s a great football mind, but that’s his biggest setback. He knows football and he knows that he does. His flaw is thinking he’s smart enough to handle everything with the ego to boot. Take play-calling duties this season, he gave them up at one point and the Jets offense started to look more effective. As a head coach, he spreads himself too thin and doesn’t depend on his other coaches enough so he can hone in on key aspects of the game. If the Jets keep him on next season, he’ll have to look inward and bruise his ego a little so his knowledge resolves the team chemistry.

Team Identity

Despite having talent, the New York Jets have no signs of life. While they did win two meaningless games late in the season there doesn’t seem like a solid foundation to build off of. Their offense is near the bottom in most categories. Defensively they’re in the bottom 5 overall. If they want to be competitive they’ll need to focus this offseason and free agency on establishing dominance on one side of the football or the other.

Surging division

While New England wasn’t the adversary they normally are, the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills looked different from the teams the Jets have struggled alongside. Buffalo took the division and Miami pulled off double-digit wins for the first time in what seems like forever. New England is a dynasty that many free agents will be drawn to with their cap space. Buffalo is a team on the rise. Brian Flores has been earning respect around the league. Right now, the Jets seem like the odd team out in the division as the other three teams look to be over the hump. If they don’t have a big offseason, New York will fall even more behind.