The New York Jets went into the offseason with enough cap room to at least patch up some of the many holes that existed on their roster. But here we are, with free agency essentially over, and it's hard to determine if the Jets have addressed any of them.
Yes, New York made some moves along the offensive line. But they handed out a three-year, $30 million contract to a backup in George Fant. And yes, the Jets re-signed some of their own players on bargain deals, such as cornerback Brian Poole and linebacker Jordan Jenkins. But they didn't really add any more talent.
New York Refuses to Upgrade Receiving Corps
Most of all, New York has failed miserably at fixing its ailing receiving corps. And that is pretty much the last thing that Sam Darnold needs entering his critical third season.
Darnold didn't have a whole lot of weapons this past year, but going into 2020, the cupboard is even more bare.
Outside of Jamison Crowder, Darnold doesn't have a single dependable target to throw to at wide receiver. Recent signing Breshad Perriman is largely unproven. Quincy Enunwa's career might be over. Robby Anderson just walked to the Carolina Panthers on a two-year, $20 million deal. A deal that the Jets, for some reason, chose not to match.
New York also did not get involved in trade discussions for DeAndre Hopkins or Stefon Diggs, the latter of which went to the AFC East division rival Buffalo Bills. To be fair, the Bills paid an exorbitant price for Diggs. So the Jets' decision to stay away is understandable. But you're telling me they couldn't make a play for Hopkins? And what about some of the other cheaper options on the free agent market?
The Anderson thing really puzzles me. The only reason why he appeared to be a goner earlier this offseason was because he was expected to get a rather large deal in free agency. But instead, he came relatively cheap given his production. With the Jets' receiving corps so barren, why didn't they match the offer the Panthers made?
Instead, New York chose to sign Perriman to a one-year deal. Perriman isn't terrible, but as your No. 1 receiver? That's a problem.
Gang Green fans are upset with general manager Joe Douglas, and understandably so. Yes, this draft class is teeming with wide outs. But is it really wise to pin your hopes on rookies when Darnold is going into what may very well be the most important season of his career?
Darnold needs more than just one dependable target, and it's not even like Crowder is a deep threat. Crowder is a slot guy. Anderson represented that vertical threat for Darnold, and now, even he is gone.
Jets Have Been Incompetent Franchise For Years
But I guess this is par for the course for a Jets organization that has not won a championship since the 1968 season. They've also regularly been one of the worst teams in the NFL ever since.
Still, you would think that now that New York finally has a young quarterback with legitimate potential that they would ensure he has enough pieces around him to succeed. Instead, the Jets are making life as difficult as possible for Darnold and are, in a way, sabotaging him.
I'm not sure what New York's thought process is, but the Jets aren't doing Darnold any favors.
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