Two years ago, the Jets signed Le’Veon Bell to a monster-free contract in the hope that he would solve some of their offensive problems.
Two years later, that decision now looks laughable. Bell didn’t make it to the two years with the team until it released him as unhappy and unproductive with the Jets in October.
Now the team faces a decision to run back off-season.
While most of the focus is on who will be the Jets’ quarterback in September, that quarterback needs a good running game. It’s something the Jets haven’t built in recent years and one of the factors that contributed to Sam Darnold’s fight.
The Jets did not end any better than 23rd in the NFL in a hurry in Darnold’s three seasons. During its time with the Jets, the team has only had a 100-yard rusher three times. The new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan system that emphasizes concepts for out-of-zone running and game-action passing from it. It is critical for the Jets to improve their hasty off-season attack.
But how do the Jets do that? Obviously, they need to upgrade an attack line that only Mekhi Becton has addressed as a long-term response. But they should also contribute to the running backs room where La’Mical Perine enters his second season as a stranger and not someone you can draw as an all-down-back.
There are some intriguing backs on the agenda to hit free agency, but will the Jets take that path again? Former general manager Mike Maccagnan signed Bell to a $ 52.5 million four-year deal in 2019 over the objections of former coach Adam Gase. The marriage felt doomed from the start, and Bell never once rushed 100 yards in a Jets uniform. Bell is one of the many cautionary tales of signing receding contracts for big-money deals. The competition has shifted from paying decreasing amounts to finding answers in the design.
The best running backs to hit free agency on March 17th are Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, Leonard Fournette and Kenyan Drake. 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 top-of-the-market backs.
The most likely course of action for the Jets is to try to find a back in the draft. The Jets have not lined up a return in the top two rounds since capturing Lamont Jordan in the second round in 2001. It’s been 31 years since the Jets overtook Blair Thomas, the last back to take them back in the first lap. They chose Thomas of Penn State with the # 2 overall pick in 1990. No one is suggesting the Jets will use the # 2 overall pick on a seatback in April. But going back up with their second first round pick (No. 23 overall) might make sense. Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris are seen as late first rounds.
Whatever Joe Douglas decides, it’s clear he needs to find some answers as he walks back. The Jets averaged 105.2 meters to the ground in 2020, which was good compared to 2019 (78.6 ypg) and 2018 (101.4 ypg). LaFleur is taking the Shanahan attack east, so it makes sense to look at the 49ers as the model for what the Jets want to do. The 49ers drove their hasty attack to the Super Bowl in 2019, averaging 144.1 yards per game, the second-best average in the league. Who can forget Raheem Mostert rushing over 220 meters in the NFC Championship match against the Packers?
That was one of 12 times a 49ers running back has won at least 100 meters in the past three seasons. The 49ers have played 35 games in at least 100 meters since 2018, the sixth in the league. The Jets, on the other hand, have only reached 100 meters 18 times in 48 games, a draw of 30th in the NFL with the Steelers. Only three running Jets have rushed for 100 yards in a match since 2018 – Isaiah Crowell twice in 2018 and Ty Johnson against the Raiders last year.
Douglas’s to-do list is long in this low season, but improving the running game should be at the top.