Just when it looked like the New York Jets were headed in the right direction, they did something that made you think, “Same old Jets.”
After allowing Mike Maccagnan to handle both free agency and the draft, the Jets canned him as general manager, as it was obvious that he and new head coach Adam Gase were not seeing eye to eye.
You definitely want your general manager and your coach to get along, but New York's timing in all of this was just weird, especially after Maccagnan seemed to do a good job of adding some pieces this offseason.
Nevertheless, the Jets are heading into 2019 with an improved roster, with some feeling they can be a sleeper playoff contender in the deep AFC.
So, here are the four biggest storylines surrounding Gang Green going into this season.
4. The Receiving Corps
The Jets have three good wide receivers in Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, and Jamison Crowder, but they don't really have a No. 1.
It's tough to win in this league without a standout receiver, and New York simply does not have that right now.
Of course, Anderson can emerge as the clear top threat, as he has a terrific blend of speed and size, but his hands are only so-so and his route-running could really use some work, so expecting him to bust out and become a true No. 1 might be asking too much.
Both Enunwa and Crowder are reliable when healthy, but reliability does not always equate to elite-level talent, and neither of those guys are top-flight wide outs.
3. How Will Le'Veon Bell Fit In?
Bell may have been the biggest splash in free agency, but we cannot ignore the fact that he did not play football at all in 2018 as a result of a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While this might actually benefit Bell in getting him some extra rest, we also have to wonder just how rusty Bell will be after having not played football for a year-and-a-half.
If Bell is right, he will undoubtedly be a major boon to the Jets' offense and will open things up for Sam Darnold and everyone else in a way that no other Jets running back has been able to do since Curtis Martin.
But if not, Bell could end up being a $52 million failure in what has become an exceedingly long list of Jets blunders.
2. Will Sam Darnold Take a Step Forward?
The general rule of thumb is that young quarterbacks usually don't take their big step until Year 3, but Darnold already showed signs of significant progression during the second half of his rookie campaign.
With Bell on board and more weapons at his disposal overall, can Darnold be one of those guys who actually takes a big step forward in his second season?
One thing we need to keep in mind is that New York's offensive line is a bit questionable, so we don't really know if consistent protection will be there for Darnold. But if it is, Darnold could end up being the difference in whether or not the Jets make the playoffs.
And you know what? If Darnold doesn't break out, just relax and give him another year. I get that it's New York, but he's a kid.
1. Is Adam Gase in Over His Head?
It's one thing for a coach to try a “my way or the highway” approach in Miami; it's another thing to do it in New York.
The weather may be hotter in South Beach, but the lights are brighter in the Big Apple, and every little decision Gase makes from here on out will be scrutinized to the umpteenth degree, especially after his much-publicized fallout with Maccagnan.
The question is, is Gase biting off more than he can chew?
He wasn't exactly a smash success with the Dolphins, and while he did a great job with Peyton Manning in Denver, I mean, it was Peyton Manning, and an already established Peyton Manning at that.
Maybe Gase will be the best thing that ever happened to Darnold and the Jets, or maybe he will be an abject disaster.
All I know is, there is intense pressure on Gase to win in his first season, and he has brought much of that on himself.
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