Two years ago, the Jets signed Le’Veon Bell to a monster free-agent contract that he hoped would solve some of their offensive problems.
Two years later, this decision now seems laughable. Bell did not make it to the team for two years before being released in October as they were unproductive with the Jets.
Now, the team has to decide to run back this offseason again.
While most of the attention is on who will be the Jets’ quarterback in September, that quarterback needs a good running game behind him. This is something that Jet has failed to make in recent years and is one of the factors contributing to Sam Darnold’s struggles.
The Jets have not finished better than 23Third In participating in three of Darnold’s seasons in the NFL. During his time with the Jets, the team has run for 100-yards just three times. New offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan system that emphasizes concepts running in the outside zone and play-action passes through them. It is important for the Jets to improve their offensive attack.
But how do the Jets go about that? Apparently, they will have to upgrade an offensive line that has only left Mekkhi Becton as a long-term answer. But he should also join the running back room where La’Mical Perine enters his second season as an unknown, not as someone you can pencil in as every down-back.
There are some intriguing backs scheduled to hit free agency, but will the Jets hit that road again? Former general manager Mike McKaganan signed Bell to a four-year, $ 52.5 million contract in 2019 over the objections of former coach Adam Gesse. The wedding looked bad from the start and Bell did not run 100 yards in uniform once. Bell is one of several cautions about signing backing for big money deals. The league has shifted away from running away and finding answers in the draft.
The top running backs to hit free agency on March 17 are Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, Leonard Fournette and Kenyan Drake. There are others who played in San Francisco and are familiar with Lafellur and new head coach Robert Saleh. Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida all played for the 49ers and could be cheaper than the market’s top backs.
The greater possibility of action for the Jets is to try to find back in the draft of the course. The Jets have not returned a running draft in the top two rounds since taking Lemont Jordan to the second round in 2001. It has been 31 years since the Jets drafted Blair Thomas, the last time he took the first round. He drove Thomas out of Penn State. But their second first-round pick (No. 23 overall) may make sense. Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Nazi Harris are seen as the latter of the first round.
Whatever Douglas decides, it is clear that he needs to find some answers when running back. The Jets averaged 105.2 yards on the ground in 2020 and were good compared to 2019 (78.6 ypg) and 2018 (101.4 ypg). Lafleur Shanahan brings the offense east with him, so it makes sense for the 49ers to see what the Jets want to do. The 49ers made their racking attack in the Super Bowl in 2019, averaging 144.1 yards per game, the second-best average in the league. Who can forget Rahm Mostert for 220 yards rushing in the NFC Championship game against the Packers?
It was one of the 12 times the 49ers ran for at least 100 yards in the last three seasons. The 498 has 35 games with at least 100 yards rushing since 2018, the sixth-most in the league. On the other hand, the Jets have only rushed for 100 yards 18 times in 48 matches, tied for 30.Th In the NFL with the Steelers. Only three Jets have returned from 100 yards rushing in a game since 2018 – twice against Isaiah Crowell in 2018 and Ty Johnson against the Raiders last year.
The Douglas-to-Do list is a long one this offshin, but the improvement in the running game should be near the top.
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