With big-time signings such as running back Le’Veon Bell and linebacker C.J. Mosley, the Jets have had one of the best offseasons in the NFL. New York has bolstered its roster to the point where the team could contend for a playoff spot as soon 2019.
That doesn’t mean the Jets and general manager Mike Maccagnan have not made some mistakes, though.
It’s nearly impossible to have a perfect offseason. Some holes are left unaddressed, while others are filled, but with underwhelming signings instead of top-tier players. Maccagnan has done well to transform New York’s roster, but award him executive of the year just yet.
Here are four mistakes Maccagnan and the Jets have made so far this offseason.
Not signing Matt Paradis
When the Jets let go of Spencer Long in February, it seemed inevitable that they would go out and sign a center in free agency. However, that wound up not being the case.
Mike Maccagnan is comfortable rolling with Jonotthan Harrison at center for now, which is a questionable decision, to say the least. New York should’ve moved quickly to land Matt Paradis, the top free agent at the position. Instead, Maccagnan dropped the ball and Paradis signed with the Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal.
Signing Le’Veon Bell was an excellent move, but it’s going to be tough for him to make any kind of an impact if the offensive line struggles to block for him. The Jets failed to address arguably the most important position on the line. Now, they are relying on a career backup to get the job done.
Maccagnan’s failure to sign Paradis might not only go down as his biggest mistake of the offseason, but it could also wind up being the biggest mistake of his tenure as New York’s GM.
Letting a handful of key special teamers walk
Maccagnan’s decision to let All-Pro kick/punt returner Andre Roberts, Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers and key special teams contributors Kevin Pierre-Louis and Terrence Brooks walk was almost as head-scratching as opting to let Paradis sign elsewhere.
Under Brant Boyer’s guidance, New York’s special teams unit became one of the best in football a year ago. With so many impact players in the mix, it’s easy to see why. Roberts shocked everyone with the best season of his career, while Myers, who wasn’t even on the roster until late in the preseason, had a career year as well. Pierre-Louis and Brooks played an integral role in Gang Green’s special teams success as well.
The Jets softened the blow of losing Pierre-Louis and Brooks by signing special teams ace Josh Bellamy, but there’s no denying how big of a mistake it was to let Roberts and Myers walk. New York downgraded at kicker by bringing back Chandler Catanzaro, while it looks like the Jets will turn to Trenton Cannon to figure it out as their return man in 2019 after a rocky showing at the position in training camp as a rookie.
Not signing a No. 2 cornerback
Darryl Roberts is a nice player and the Jets made the right decision by inking him to a three-year contract extension. Roberts is an essential depth piece in the secondary, especially in today’s NFL where defensive backs rotate in and out of action.
He is not a legitimate No. 2 cornerback at this point in his career, though.
Roberts has the potential to grow into the role, but New York is making a mistake by hoping that happens in 2019. Trumaine Johnson needs help on the outside, but the Jets have done nothing to address that.
There is still time to fill the void with players like Ronald Darby remaining on the open market, but it doesn’t seem like Maccagnan is inclined to make a move. Roberts deserves a chance to win the job, but it would be a mistake not to bring in another capable corner to fight for the role.
Not signing an elite edge rusher
In an offseason that featured a handful of standout edge rushers, the Jets failed to land a single one.
New York was involved in the bidding for Za’Darius Smith, but wisely bowed out once the price became too high. Smith wound up signing with the Green Bay Packers. Fellow free agent pass rusher Preston Smith followed suit and signed with the Packers as well, leaving the Jets out of luck at the position. Maccagnan even failed to land Justin Houston, who sat on the free agent market after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs.
If the Jets land Kentucky outside linebacker Josh Allen with the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Maccagnan’s failure to sign an elite edge rusher will not go down as a mistake. Until then, chalk this one up as another gaffe.
