Jets have the cash, now they just need to prove they actually want to win in 2020
The Jets have a perpetual eye on the future without seemingly ever realizing what is right in front of them.
For all the chatter about Gang Green’s inevitable 10th consecutive season without a playoff appearance, the truth is that 2020 might just be wacky enough for them to sneak into the dance.
It’s not inconceivable that Adam Gase’s team could break the franchise’s nine-year playoff drought … if they make a couple smart moves right now.
But it looks and feels like the powers that be have already channeled their inner Roberto Duran by taking the path of least resistance. There is an air of capitulation around these parts, a sense that this season doesn’t really matter.
Consider: The Jets have $29.3 million of salary cap space (fifth most in the NFL) collecting dust. Gang Green picked up an extra $13 million in cash in the past week alone after C.J. Mosley opted out and Brian Winters was cut.
Perhaps the brain trust will sign an impact defensive player at a premium position (see: outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Logan Ryan) in the coming days to help offset two seismic losses (Jamal Adams and Mosley).
For now, crickets remain the Jets soundtrack.
There are hollow words on the marquee, but it sure seems like decision makers would rather fast-forward through this season than actually play it out.
A week after general manager Joe Douglas maintained that he “would disagree that we’re punting on 2020,” Gase echoed the party line.
“Our goal is always going to be playing in January,” Gase said this week. “Always going to be the goal. A lot of things happen. We have to adjust. We have to do everything we can to make sure that’s where we end up. We’re always going to be shooting to do that and that’s going to be the goal this year. You want to get to January where a lot of good things are happening.”
There is one universal truth in sports: Anything can happen if you get into the tournament.
So, it’s foolish for the Jets to write off this season.
The mindset should be obvious: Just make the playoffs.
That should be easier given that one more team per conference will be make the postseason starting in 2020. Sprinkle in Tom Brady’s defection to the NFC and the Jets have a much better playoff outlook than they did a year ago.
History has shown that anything is possible if you get in. Just jump into the hot tub time machine back to 2009 when Rex Ryan’s Jets squeaked into the playoffs through the back door, turning a 9-7 campaign into a memorable run to the AFC Championship.
It’s not overly complicated. Get hot at the right time and you just never know.
Maybe you’ll be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
However, it appears that Jets brass privately has chosen to overlook the opportunity in front of them. They have as good a shot as most teams to make a real playoff run… if they make a couple of strategic improvements right now.
Luckily for them, two typically unavailable impact players still happen to be on the market.
Clowney and Ryan would markedly improve Gang Green’s roster with a much-needed edge rusher/run stuffer and swiss-army knife defensive back. There’s no logical reason why the Jets should not sign both veterans to one-year deals if they’re not actually punting on the season.
The Jets just got a $13 million cash windfall. Why wouldn’t you allocate that loot to improve your chances of breaking a nine-year playoff drought?
The truth is that the only reason why you wouldn’t sign Clowney and Ryan is if the 2020 season isn’t actually a priority. People on 1 Jets Drive believed that they were on the precipice of signing Ryan in May before things curiously went sideways. The brain trust did its due diligence on Clowney, but there hasn’t been an indication to this point that they are hot and heavy for his services.
Meanwhile, players on the roster are conditioned to prioritize the present. They couldn’t care less about what might or might not happen in 2021, 2022 or any time beyond this season. They’re motivated to win now, but sometimes they need more help.
Now is one of those times.
The powers that be can provide if they want.
“You’re going to see a team that’s very hungry and has a lot of desire to prove [last year’s finish] was not a fluke against a ‘soft schedule,’” Douglas said recently. “I think you’re going to see a team that has a lot of fire and a lot of motivation.”
How about arming that motivated yet undermanned team with quality impact players that are still attainable?
There’s nothing wrong with the idea of rolling over the remaining $29.3 million of cap space to next year’s cap so long as you admit that you are indeed waving the white flag on 2020 before Week 1.
Team decision makers can’t have it both ways though.
They can’t promulgate that winning now matters, while pocketing newfound cash savings. The league-wide revenue shortfall will create a $175 million salary cap floor next season, so rolling over some unused cap space could be beneficial in the future.
However, it’s undeniable that rolling over the bulk of the $29 million unused cap space would signify that the Jets aren’t serious about competing for the playoffs this year. If they were, clear-thinking, rational minds would agree that adding Clowney and Ryan on one-year deals is a smart approach. Those guys clearly would make Gang Green’s defense better.
Expecting defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to perform miracles after he just lost his two best players is not a sound plan.
Jets ownership placed cash-flow restrictions on Douglas this offseason, prompting him to sign a litany of second- and third-tier free agents to modest one-year (or de facto) one-year contracts. The tight budget also prompted a messy divorce with All-Pro Jamal Adams.
If ownership opts to keep the extra cash that just landed its lap, then there will be no debate that winning in 2020 never really mattered.
The truth will become crystal clear.
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