“Trust the process” is the term that multiple teams in every sport use to show that they have a plan to make their team into a winner for a continuity of years, and the Jets have been one of those teams that have adapted into the plan. From what we saw in the beginning of free agency the Jets have continued their game plan and brought in some key impactful players to help move along the process. But it got frustrating in the beginning.
During the early stages of free agency, we all watched to see where Kirk Cousins will go, and it ended up with him going to the Minnesota Vikings on a 3 year deal worth $90 million (22.5 per year, with a $2 million bonus). The Jets couldn’t get him to visit as the Vikings didn’t let him leave, but that’s okay because they were able to bring in Teddy Bridgewater who has a lot to prove and they brought back Josh McCown. That sounds a lot better than having Kirk Cousins alone because if the Jets would’ve gotten him, they wouldn’t have as much flexibility to sign other players. After bringing the two quarterbacks in, they signed former Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell which I liked because he is an underrated back in the NFL. In the past two years, he has rushed 1,805 yards, with 9 TD’s, and averaged about 7 yards per carry. Then they boosted the offensive line by signing center Spencer Long who was with the Washington Redskins and coming off a quad injury. He has a good push and can help with the run game.
Defense was the major focus as they brought in impactful guys like Trumaine Johnson, linebacker Avery Williamson who will help stopping the run but this is now Darron Lee’s chance to be the guy in the middle. They also brought back some depth guys and Morris Claiborne which was huge because he had a great season and now their secondary could be the best in the league. I still think they need to sign pass rusher like Kony Ealy, and rotational player Mike Pennel.
The Jets are not done, I think they will still look to sign some more depth guys and maybe some other key players on the offensive side of the ball. They will also fill some other holes in the draft, but I think if there's anything we learned is that Mike Maccagnan has shown maturity and stayed true to his word with bringing in young and impactful players to help this team grow. The only player he overpaid for was Johnson but he is the top corner in the league and I have no doubt he will earn that money. The Jets are showing promise and I’m excited to see what this team will look like in September.