The Jets stumbled into their bye week with an 0-3 record following a brutal loss to the Patriots.
Following the bye week, the team hopes to get its quarterback back, as well as important members of the offense and defense. With a hopefully healthier team, Adam Gase will get a chance to reboot his honeymoon period with fans, but those odds don’t look good. Even if Darnold and other key cogs return, the Jets still have a lot of problems, but that’s what bye weeks are for.
A lot needs to be fixed this week, so with that said, let’s take a look at some storylines to keep an eye on as the Jets enter their early bye.
Sam Darnold’s health
The expectation is that Sam Darnold will return for the Week 5 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles after his bout with mononucleosis.
Darnold is not yet medically cleared but has participated in cardio exercises as he works on getting his body back up to speed. His spleen has shrunk, but it’s not where it needs to be. The team will reevaluate his health on Monday with hopes that he can return to practice by next Wednesday.
After an 0-3 start, the Jets will look to Darnold to save their season before it’s too late. The quarterback himself said he’s ready to take this team on a run, but his health certainly depends on that.
Offensive Woes
The Jets offense is stuck in quicksand right now.
The head coach has no answers for why his offense has struggled besides blaming it on poor execution and playcalling. The problem is the personnel. The Jets don’t have a functioning offensive line; whether it’s Luke Falk or Joe Montana under center, it’s not going to be pretty.
That being said, Adam Gase hasn’t exactly put his offensive expertise to work. He’s grown complacent with getting beaten and has failed to adapt to his personnel, not featuring enough deep looks or trick plays in order to steal some points and possessions.
For the Jets to get out of their offensive rut, there’s going to have to be an offensive line shakeup and some accountability from Gase. Darnold’s return will improve matters, but asking a second-year quarterback with a concerning spleen to play with little help is not ideal.
Key Cogs Back in the Mix
The Jets are optimistic that C.J. Mosley, Quinnen Williams and Demaryius Thomas will all return following the bye week.
Mosley returning certainly helps sure up the linebacker corps. He was by far the best defensive player on the field for the Jets in Week 1 before he left with a groin injury. The team hasn’t been the same since. Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman both held their own in Week 2 but were toyed with by Tom Brady in Week 3. Having Mosley back will add a signal-caller back on defense and add some leadership to a defeated team.
Williams injuring his ankle has certainly thrown a wrench in the Jets’ pass-rushing plans. With Quinnen Williams back and healthy, Leonard Williams stands to benefit. The fifth-year defensive end has been on a milk carton through three games; the younger Williams can draw some attention away from him.
The veteran Thomas has barely played, but getting the veteran wideout back will help alleviate personnel issues at wide receiver.
Tumultuous Start
The Jets need to find themselves over the bye week.
Getting outscored 70-33 through three games, while only managing one offensive touchdown, is flat-out embarrassing. The two faces of the franchise are singing the same tune, but while Sam Darnold is upbeat and optimistic, Jamal Adams looks like he’s being held hostage by a losing culture.
It’s up to the veteran leaders and Adam Gase to keep this team from falling into more trouble. After an 0-3 start and with three tough games in a row, the Jets will need to go on a run to prevent more back page drama.
