The New York Jets are entering a season full of hope for the first time in quite a while, as they have a new head coach, a star running back and a talented young quarterback under center.
But, because the Jets play in New York (well, New Jersey, actually) and because the Jets have not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 campaign, there is quite a bit of pressure on Gang Green heading into 2019.
Are the Jets a playoff team? Probably not, but their fans are still expecting them to compete.
So, here are the three Jets players under the most pressure heading into 2019.
3. Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams got off to a great start with the Jets, making the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season after registering 68 tackles, seven sacks and a couple of forced fumbles.
But, since then, Williams has totaled just seven sacks over the last two years, and with his contract up at the end of 2019, there is certainly some pressure on Williams to perform this season.
There's no sugarcoating the fact that Williams has been a disappointment over the past couple of seasons, as he went from looking like a breakout stud to just a decent defensive lineman.
The good news is that Williams has never missed a game, so you know he'll be on the field. It's just a matter of him actually producing at a high level.
2. Robby Anderson
The Jets really don't have a true No. 1 receiver at the moment. They have a few good wide outs in Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder, but none of them are really No. 1s.
But, by default, Anderson is currently New York's top wide out, and he has the potential to actually develop into a legitimate low-end No. 1.
Anderson can blame former head coach Todd Bowles as much as he wants, but he took a pretty major step back in 2018, catching just 50 passes for 752 yards and six touchdowns a year after hauling in 63 receptions for 941 yards and seven scores in what he appeared to be a breakout season.
It's time for Anderson to assert himself as the standout receiver on New York's roster, and with the Jets adding quite a bit more talent on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, there should be no more excuses for the 26-year-old.
1. Le'Veon Bell
Le'Veon Bell was arguably the most high-profile signing of the offseason, as the Jets inked him to a four-year deal at the onset of free agency.
But let's remember that Bell did not play at all in 2018 as a result of a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Well, Bell got his money: now he needs to go out and play.
He is only 27 years old, so it's not like the Jets should be worried about him falling off a cliff, but there has to be some light consternation about what to expect from a guy who hasn't played football in a year-and-a-half.
We know that when Bell is right, he is one of the most dynamic running backs in the league, but who is to say that Bell will be the same player he was in 2017?
Now that Bell got paid, there is ample pressure on him to live up to his contract.
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