Andy Vasquez

Staff Writer, @andy_vasquez

The Jets came into 2016 with playoff hopes – which seems funny, and a bit sad, considering how poorly the first 10 games of their season have gone. At 3-7, the Jets postseason hopes are non-existent. They’re just a prideful team, playing out the string. How did it get to this point? Well, everyone had a hand in it. But here are the five Jets to start with.

Head Coach Todd Bowles

The Jets have put themselves in position to win several games this season. They had second half chances against Cincinnati, Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles – and even against Kansas City. But they always find a way to make a mistake at the most costly moment. They find a way to lose, and it’s become a reflection on Bowles.

Bowles has also drawn rightful criticism for his conservative nature. On the field, his decision to punt in Pittsburgh trailing by two possessions was baffling – just like his decision to stick with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick now, even though they have no hopes of making the playoffs. Bowles’ self assuredness when making decisions is admirable. He always owns it. But it would be a whole lot more admirable if his team was any good.

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey

The Jets’ offense has not pulled its weight this year, and a lot of that is on the offensive coordinator. A year after one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history, the Jets are one of the worst offenses in the NFL under Gailey. They’re 29th in points per game, 26th in passing yards per game. And, worst of all, they’re converting only 40 percent of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns – dead last in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Brandon Marshall has scored only two touchdowns this season and doesn’t have a touchdown catch since Week 5. Yes, the Jets lost a key piece in Eric Decker after only three games. And Gailey has had to deal with subpar quarterback play. But he should have figured out how to put a better product on the field than this.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick and the Jets were embroiled in a contract dispute that lasted the whole off-season. Fitzpatrick wanted a long-term deal, coming off a career high 31-touchdown season. The Jets didn’t want to give it to him. Now we see why. Fitzpatrick, who agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal on the eve of training camp, has been wretched this season.

He threw six interceptions in one game. He played poorly enough to get benched after only six games. Fitzpatrick only has his job back because Geno Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury less than a half after replacing him. It’s been a tough year for Fitzpatrick and he’s one of the biggest reasons the Jets have been such a disappointment.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis

Revis signed a five-year, $70 million deal before the 2015 season. And the way Revis has played, there’s virtually no chance of him finishing out that deal with the Jets. The cracks started to show as early as Week 1, as he was burned repeatedly by A.J. Green. The embarrassing performances have stacked up for there, to the point where there’s no doubt: Revis is not one of the best cornerbacks in the league anymore. He’s a good one, at best.

The Jets only owe him $6 million guaranteed for next season, so unless he is willing to take a large pay cut, he won’t be the Jets’ problem anymore. But his poor play has hurt the defense this year. They thought they had a lock-down corner. Instead, Revis looks more like a regular guy.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson

Maybe defenses have adjusted to him, perhaps he’s playing hurt after off-season surgery to repair a broken fibula. But any way you look at it, Wilkerson’s season has been a huge disappointment. After signing a five-year, $86 million deal, Wilkerson’s production has gone way down. He has only two and ½ sacks through the first 10 games, where he’s been a non-factor on the field.

Off the field, Wilkesron hasn’t been great either. Wilkerson was benched for the first quarter of the Miami game for being chronically late – including skipping a meeting in which the defense celebrated his 27th birthday with a cake. Wilkerson has pledged to be a better leader since, but it never should have been a problem in the first place.

Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com