2020 New York Jets Season Review
There was some optimism heading into 2020 for the New York Jets, but the season fell apart in a hurry. New York finished the season with a 2-14 record, earning the number 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The rough season ultimately cost Adam Gase his job as head coach, and the Jets will be heading in a new direction at a number of key positions.
2021 Jets Offseason Additions
The Jets clearly had plenty of holes in 2020, but the franchise made some big splashes in free agency. Selecting quarterback Zach Wilson with the number two overall pick could affect the franchise in a positive way for the next decade.
New York was also able to land wide receiver Corey Davis in free agency, and he will be a key piece to the offense. Defensive end Carl Lawson and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins should help the Jets up front.
2021 Jets Offseason Departures
New York decided to move on from quarterback Sam Darnold after he just failed to take off with the Jets. That still leaves the Jets without their starter from the last three seasons.
Guard Pat Elflein has moved on from the Jets as well and that could potentially create a massive hole on the offensive line. The Jets also lost defensive end Henry Anderson in free agency, and that could hurt the defense.
3 Key Factors to a Winning Season
Wilson Must Develop
Zach Wilson is expected to start right away for the Jets, and the team is willing to live through some growing pains. Wilson should help the team be more competitive, but the most important focus will be developing their young star.
Dominating Defense
New York spent a ton of money this offseason on the defense, and that unit needs to produce. The Jets need to create some takeaways and also take some pressure off of Wilson.
Limit Turnovers
This is a key for every team in the NFL but turnovers have really plagued the Jets in recent seasons. A young quarterback likely won't help this, but the defense could help keep the turnover margin to a minimum.
Rating Their Schedule
The Jets do have a relatively easy schedule in 2021 by virtue of finishing in the last place a season ago. The biggest games of the season will come against AFC East opponents, but there are some other games to focus on as well.
New York hosts the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 and this won't be an easy matchup. The season ends with a Week 17 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a road game at the Buffalo Bills, a pair of tough games.
Expectations in 2021
The Jets should be improved in 2021 but that improvement is going to be small. New York is still not going to become a playoff team and it is likely that they finish in 4th place in the tough AFC East.
This will be a team that could be a force in the coming years, but six wins seems like the max in 2021. The Jets will look better with Wilson under center, but there will be growing pains.
