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The New York Jets are coming off a 5-11 season. They're in one of the toughest divisions in football. And on paper, they've actually taken a large step backward early this offseason.

Top receiver Brandon Marshall, top cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold—three players with multiple Pro Bowls on their resumes—are all gone. The only outside free agent they've added—offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum—is coming off a terrible season in Jacksonville.

And we're not even sure whose blind side Beachum will be protecting to start the 2017 season because quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith remain unsigned.

I understand why general manager Mike Maccagnan (pictured) resisted overpaying high-profile free agents last week. This team is rebuilding, and it didn't kick off the new league year with a ton of money to spend. But that puts a lot of pressure on the front office now that bargains can be found.

The Jets have to be looking for a quarterback to compete with Bryce Petty and/or Christian Hackenberg as well as proven NFL players who can fill holes along the offensive line in the secondary and in the front seven.

Might that strategy involve trading defensive end Sheldon Richardson and his $8 million salary to a contender? They already have Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams up front, and there's a hot rumor (per Rich Cimini of ESPN) right now about a potential trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for promising young quarterback AJ McCarron.

Whether or not that comes to fruition, Maccagnan has plenty of work to do.