The Jets have been the opposite of a model franchise following the firing of Mike Maccagnan and the ascendance of Adam Gase within the organization.
However, veteran players such as Kelechi Osemele have made it known that its business as usual for the players. Nothing has changed on the field while Gang Green attempts to put out the fire off of it.
With mandatory OTAs on the horizon, let’s take a look at four players to keep an eye on.
RB Le’Veon Bell
All eyes will be on Le’Veon Bell when the Jets start mandatory offseason workouts at the end of the month.
Bell was under fire for missing voluntary workouts at the beginning of May, but Adam Gase came to his defense, as the workouts are voluntary and the Jets believe that Bell knows what he is doing as far as his own workout regimen is concerned.
The fallout of Mike Maccagnan’s firing has pinned Gase against his star running back. It was reported that Gase was not on board with throwing big money at Bell and the signing was pushed for by Maccagnan and Christopher Johnson.
New York will not know what type of shape Bell is in until he reports for mandatory workouts. He sat out for a season and there is already controversy; most of the attention will be placed on him when OTAs begin.
OC Jonotthan Harrison
Jonotthan Harrison is the starting center by default, a position the Jets ignored altogether in free agency and the draft.
Adam Gase made his feelings known that he wished the Jets spent money on now-Panthers center Matt Paradis. Gase has said that both he and Sam Darnold are comfortable with Harrison starting at center, but it’s hard to take Gase at his word.
Harrison made impressive strides starting in place of the injured Spencer Long last season. However, with doubts against him and his ability to be a starter, OTAs will be a big test for him.
QB Sam Darnold
Mandatory OTAs will be the first chance for Sam Darnold to learn the new offense with his new weapons.
Darnold will have the opportunity to get on the same page with Kelechi Osemele, Le’Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder and Trevon Wesco while continuing to build a rapport with Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson and Chris Herndon.
Now that he is the face of the franchise, it is up to Darnold to right the ship of a franchise that has been heavily scrutinized this offseason. Surely, all eyes will be on the second-year quarterback.
DE Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams was assured by Mike Maccagnan that his job was safe after the team drafted Quinnen Williams, but with Maccagnan no longer in the fold, that could change.
Williams is in the last year of his deal with New York and while he has played well, he has not exactly lived up to his draft slot.
It is up to the elder Williams to show that he can be a fit and a threat in Gregg Williams’ defense, instead of finding himself on the trading block.
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