Jets were way ahead of schedule in 2022 but still need efficient QB

If the New York Jets were in a true rebuilding year, quarterback Zach Wilson’s struggles would not have mattered so much. If the Jets were as bad as most expected them to be, New York might not have had such a wild year at quarterback.

But coach Robert Saleh had pressure to find a solution at QB, even if it was a short-term option like Mike White — or, heck, Chris Streveler. Saleh wanted to do whatever he could to get his team into the playoffs, because this team was playoff-worthy in every way except at quarterback. But quarterbacks raise and sink ships in the NFL. And the Jets sunk.

Even so, the year should be considered a success.

There’s no doubt that the Jets have an immensely difficult path to long-term success. New York needs to bring in an offensive coordinator with a strong track record, with the Jets firing Mike LaFleur last week. It’s unclear if they’ll make a move at quarterback, but in my opinion, the Jets must find someone who is, at least, average. They need the 16th-best quarterback in the NFL — or better. They can find that guy this offseason. And while White had promising moments, he didn’t look like a sure thing to develop into a starting-caliber talent.

But that’s actually a solid problem to have. Because it seems like one of their only problems. 

Jets future plans at QB

The Seahawks ended the Jets’ playoff hopes with a 23-6 win in Week 17. Colin Cowherd evaluates both teams, explaining Seattle’s formula and what the Jets should do with the QB position moving forward.

The Jets have built a respectable squad through their recent draft and free-agency classes. They have obvious franchise cornerstones from the 2022 draft class: cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. They have former first-rounders stocked on their offensive line in Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton (even with his injury concerns). And they have playmaking first-rounders on their defensive line in Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson.

The Jets’ recent drafts have not even been exceptional, necessarily. But they have been good enough when complementing free-agency additions like linebacker C.J. Mosley, cornerback D.J. Reed and tackles Duane Brown and George Fant. Edge defender Carl Lawson has had his moments, too. New York spent huge last offseason and — here’s the kicker — the team didn’t come away looking silly. Offseason after offseason, teams kick themselves for spending as much as the Jets did. But the Jets look like they found enormously important pieces for their team.

GM Joe Douglas has put together a respectable squad that has the right mix of young and experienced talent. He has put together a team that won about five more games than it should have in 2022. And the Jets did that in a competitive AFC East division. Maybe they fizzled at the end of the season. But every one of these teams was in the mix to make the postseason as late as Week 16. And the other three teams went to Week 18 in their hunts for a playoff spot (Dolphins, Patriots) or the No. 1 seed (Bills). It’s impressive that New York stayed competitive.

The Jets have faced criticism this year, given how much Wilson struggled. They have faced embarrassment, too. But the fact that they were relevant demonstrated they were ahead of schedule. They showed they could contend for the playoffs in a year when they were supposed to be in the mix for a top-five draft pick. 

So, now comes the hard part. 

Douglas and Saleh had the opportunity to succeed in a year when few thought they could. They got the chance to be underdogs. While that’s not easy, it has its advantages. And in 2023, everyone will see the Jets coming. The difference for next year? They should have a quarterback. New York will have numerous QBs to choose from in free agency, potentially starting with Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady and Lamar Jackson.

For now, the Jets have negative cap space for 2023, per OverTheCap.com. So this offseason will start with some cap casualties and some contract restructuring. Then Douglas can focus on retaining talent and, if the right quarterback becomes available, moving around money to get his contract under the salary cap. But with a boatload of space in 2024 ($116 million), New York can restructure its long-term contracts to create space to spend more freely in March. I suspect the Jets will do just that, if they want one of those free-agent quarterbacks — and maybe even a possession receiver like Jakobi Meyers or JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Even if they stick with Mike White for next season (and move on from Wilson), White should improve over the offseason with a full spring and summer to take hold of the starting role — with the full attention of the coaching staff to develop him. If the Jets add a quarterback or develop White properly, they will have playoff expectations for 2023.

It will be fascinating to see whether they will exceed those expectations, just like they did this year.

Prior to joining FOX Sports as the AFC East reporter, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @McKennAnalysis.

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