:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69509797/usa_today_16157017.0.jpg)
The New York Jets land at 30th in our pre-training camp power rankings after yet another shift at head coach and quarterback. They finally let head coach Adam Gase loose and hired 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Saleh and company decided to then move on from quarterback Sam Darnold replacing him with Zach Wilson in the draft.
There is hope for the Jets, as there usually is with a new coach and quarterback. But even if this is the point in which they turn things around, there will be growing pains. Can they beat this power ranking? Absolutely. Will they? It’s debatable.
2020 record
2-14, 4th in AFC East
2020 defense
Points: 28.6 points per game, rank 26th
Yards: 5.7 yards per play, rank 20th (tie)
Football Outsiders Ranking: 21st
2020 offense
Points: 15.2 points per game, rank 32nd
Yards: 4.7 yards per play, rank 32nd
Football Outsiders Ranking: 31st
2021 DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Super Bowl: +10000
AFC/NFC Champion: +5000
DIVISION: +2000
Win Total: 6.5 (Over +112, Under -136)
Offseason moves
Bringing in Saleh at head coach, letting Darnold go and drafting Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick are foundational moves that have a shot of turning this franchise around. They also added some offensive pieces, bringing wide receivers Corey Davis, Keelan Cole and draftee Elijah Moore. At running back they added Tevin Coleman and drafted Michael Carter. They also grabbed another first-round offensive lineman in Alijah Vera-Tucker. With two first rounders over the last two seasons, the line should be able to keep Wilson upright.
Biggest question entering training camp
The Jets are full of rookies who need to make a difference sooner than later. We could easily see rookies starting at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and offensive line. That makes plenty of sense after they finished last in numerous offensive categories in 2020. Those battles at running back and wide receiver should be interesting. Moore and Carter both have a good shot at seeing a lot of time to start their careers if they can shine in camp.
What needs to happen for the Jets to win the Super Bowl?
All will depend on Wilson’s development. The odds are outlandish of course and it would be a miracle to see them go to the Super Bowl, but they have enough talent to play with good teams if things come together quickly. We saw last season how quickly a good quarterback can turn around a team when Justin Herbert played the Chiefs and Buccaneers to the bitter end in two of his first three starts. but for this team an 8-8 record would be their Super Bowl.
2021 Outlook
Their outlook for this season depends on how quickly the rookie pieces on offense can gel. Their win total of 6.5 seems about right for expectations, but I could see them beat that with a little luck.