Two years ago, the Jets signed Le’Veon Bell for a monster-free agent contract in the hopes of resolving some of their offensive issues.
Two years later, the decision now seems ridiculous. Bell did not push the team through two years before releasing him in October, as he was unproductive with the Jets.
The team is now facing the decision to run back again this season.
Although most of the Jets’ quarterbacks will be in September, that quarterback will need to have a good running game behind him. This is something the Jets have been unable to build over the past few years, and one of the contributing factors in Sam Darnold’s struggle.
The Jets did not finish better than 23rd in the NFL in the storm of Darnold’s three seasons. During his time with the Jets, the team only had a 100-year-old rusier three times. The new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan system which emphasizes concepts that run outside the zone and that its game action succeeds. It is critical for the Jets to improve on this stormy attack during the off-season.
But how do the Jets go about it? Clearly, they have to upgrade an attacking line that left Mekhi Becton as a long-term answer. But they should also contribute to the running back room where La’Mical Perine enters his second season as an unknown and not someone you can pencil as an all-down back.
There are some intriguing backs who would hit free agencies, but are the Jets going down the road again? Former general manager Mike Maccagnan signed Bell in 2019 for a $ 52.5 million four-year contract, following objections from former coach Adam Gase. The marriage felt doomed from the start and Bell did not once rush 100 yards in a Jets uniform. Bell is one of the many warning stories about the signing of running rugby teams for big money deals. The league has deviated from the payback and find answers in the draft.
Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, Leonard Fournette and Kenyan Drake are the leading backs to appear in the free agency on March 17. There are also a few who have played in San Francisco and are familiar with LaFleur and new head coach Robert Saleh. Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida all played for the 49ers and could be cheaper than the leading backs.
The more likely action for the Jets is to find a background in the concept. The Jets have yet to put up a running rugby in the top two rounds since Lamont Jordan was taken in the second round in 2001. It’s been 31 years since the Jets drafted Blair Thomas. They picked Thomas from Penn State with the overall number 2 in 1990. No one suggests the Jets use the overall pick on the back this April. But it might make sense to return with their second pick in the first round (overall No. 23). Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Najee Harris of Alabama are considered late first round.
Whatever Joe Douglas decides, it’s clear he needs to find some answers if he’s run back. The Jets averaged 105.2 meters on the ground in 2020 and that was good compared to 2019 (78.6 ypg) and 2018 (101.4 ypg). LaFleur brings the Shanahan offense with him east, so it makes sense to look at the 49ers as the model for what the Jets want to do. The 49ers drove their stormy attack to the Super Bowl in 2019, averaging 144.1 yards per game, the second-best average in the league. Who can forget that Raheem Mostert rushed 220 meters in the NFC Championship game against the Packers?
It was one of 12 times a 49ers career has gained at least 100 yards in the past three seasons. The 49ers have had 35 games since 2018 with at least 100 yards being the sixth most in the league. The Jets, on the other hand, have only scored 18 yards in 48 games, tied for 30de in the NFL with the Steelers. Only three Jets fullbacks have rushed 100 yards in a game since 2018 – Isaiah Crowell twice in 2018 and Ty Johnson last year against the Raiders.
Douglas’ to-do list is long during the season, but the improvement of the running game should be close to the top.