ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 15: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets warms up prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

New York Jets will be at ‘full strength’ vs the Buffalo Bills in Week 1

New York Jets will be at ‘full strength’ vs the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 by Paul A. Esden Jr.

The New York Jets have been mired in mediocrity recently, but here’s why the 2019 version will shed the ‘same old Jets’ label.

The New York Jets previously went 4-12, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Despite that, the Jets need to expect to win this season.

Yes, the Jets went 4-12 last season. Yes, this season will just be Adam Gase’s first year on the job.

Yes, this season will be just Sam Darnold’s 2nd season in the NFL.

If the Jets fail to make the playoffs this season, none of those should be valid excuses.

Over the past two seasons respectively, the LA Rams and Chicago Bears both made the playoffs despite being last in their division the previous season.

Like the Jets this upcoming season, both those teams had brand new head coaches and a highly touted quarterback entering his second season.

Also, three of the last four head coaches for the Jets in their debut seasons made the playoffs, except for Todd Bowles who was still able to win 10 games. Every Jet coach this century has had a winning record in their first season, will Adam Gase be able to keep that streak alive?

Many view Sam Darnold as the Jets, long-term franchise quarterback. The Jets needed to surround the USC product with better pieces, and they did that by bringing in Adam Gase and Le’Veon Bell.

Gase is a proven offensive mind, something the Jets have not had from their head coach in a very long time. Some think Le’Veon Bell is the best running back in the league, he was a phenomenal pickup for the Jets. Not only did the Jets bring in Le’Veon Bell and Adam Gase, but they also acquired Jamison Crowder and re-vamped the offensive line.

The Jets improved their offensive personnel this past offseason. If the Jets don’t have expectations with these pieces around Sam Darnold, who is widely viewed as a franchise quarterback, when will they?

The Jets defense should not be ignored either, especially with the additions of CJ Mosley, Quinnen Williams, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. It will be interesting to watch how the defense will respond to Gregg Williams constant fiery approach. Jamal Adams, the 2nd team All-Pro, compared himself and CJ Mosley to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Many feel that Quinnen Williams was the best player taken in the entire draft, the Alabama product has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald. If the aforementioned players can live up to their hype then the Jets could be a much-improved team on defense.

The Jets were expected to struggle these past few seasons. Now?

Another four or five-win season should be considered unacceptable by Jets fans. Jets fans shouldn’t have low expectations for this year’s team just simply because the team has struggled recently, things can change.

In Adam Gase’s first year with the Dolphins, the team made the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason in the previous seven seasons. Will he be able to end another playoff drought in his first season as the Jets head coach? Because of their consistent losing, the Jets aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt until they start winning. And the time to win is now.