Jets Have the 2nd Toughest Schedule in the NFL, No End to Ryan Fitzpatrick Contract Talks: Yikes
By Jason McIntyre
It’s easy (and scary) to analyze the New York Jets offseason in just a sentence. New York lost their most durable offensive lineman (Ferguson), still haven’t signed their QB (Fitzpatrick), lost their starting RB (Ivory), second leading tackler (Davis), a starting CB (Cromartie) and they’ve got the 2nd most difficult schedule in the NFL next season, with five of the first six games against playoff teams from last year.
Yes, this is an overly pessimistic view on the Jets, but we’re talking about a team that hasn’t been to the Super Bowl in 47 years. Some nuggets from 1969: My parents weren’t even in this country yet, Led Zeppelin released its first album and Bill Russell culminated a brilliant NBA career with the Celtics.
I’m aware New York added quality veterans in running back matt forte and nose tackle Steve McLendon, both 30-years old, and oft-injured tackle Ryan Clady. But given the losses, that’s not a haul to brag about.
How can any Jets fan feel optimistic about the 2016 season? Let’s start with Fitzpatrick, who still isn’t signed, and it appears they won’t have him inked before the draft. I get that the Jets want to play hardball with him. It makes total fiscal sense. I have long been against the Jets signing him to a big money deal given his age and history.
The problem: He was so good last year, leading them to a 10-6 record, that the idea of him not being the starting QB conjures memories of the hideous 2014 season with Geno Smith at QB that ended with New York at 4-12. Don’t tell me Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis are the difference between 4-12 and 10-6. Fitzpatrick was excellent last year … until he crapped the bed in the season finale with the playoffs on the line. Three 4th quarter interceptions in a game they had to win.
What if Fitzpatrick decides: You know what? Instead of playing another season and getting my brains bashed in, let me just retired with millions in the bank and decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. Why play for cheap money with a team I’m angry with for low-balling me?
It looks bleak, Jets fans. How bleak? If you go by defensive yards per play allowed in 2015, this is how the Jets open next season:
vs #9 (Bengals)
vs #23 (Bills)
vs #6 (Chiefs)
vs #2 (Seahawks)
vs #12 (Steelers)
vs #13 (Cardinals)
Things get considerably easier after that, but when you remember the Jets have lost five straight to the Bills, and what Geno Smith is like at starting QB, an 0-6 start to the season is a real possibility. And all the goodwill that GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles built up in year one will quickly be forgotten.
It may be time to start dreaming about what QB the Jets could take in 2017. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson? Miami’s Brad Kaaya?