It's been exactly a month since the Jets began their first offseason workouts under new head coach Todd Bowles.

They haven't been able to do a whole lot of on-field work. Late last month, they held a three-day minicamp, during which they installed some of their new offensive and defensive schemes. The Jets' veterans won't be back on the field until May 19, when organized team activities begin.

But so far, during his brief exposure to Bowles' 3-4 defense, rush outside linebacker Quinton Coples believes his role will change for the better in 2015.

"Well, I won't be jamming receivers," Coples said, comparing Bowles' defense to former coach Rex Ryan's system. "I won't be guarding the No. 1 receiver. That's a big change. Other than that, a lot more rushing. I'll be going against the quarterback a lot. I will be dropping [into pass coverage] a little bit, as well, but a lot more going forward [with rushing the quarterback]. They don't need me in coverage anymore, as you guys can tell."

Coples was joking with the first part of this quote. Ryan also ran a 3-4 defense, and it isn't all that different from Bowles' scheme, Coples said. But because of the Jets' shortcomings in the secondary last season, Ryan had to align Coples out wide sometimes, to jam receivers. This obviously wasn't the role Ryan ideally wanted Coples to play.

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan upgraded the Jets' secondary this offseason -- most notably by signing cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie -- so Coples won't have to do that gimmicky stuff anymore, with jamming receivers.

"It's a blessing," Coples said of the Jets' additions in the defensive backfield. "It's just going to give me more opportunities, give the front more opportunities. We're excited as a front and looking forward to getting after the quarterback."

There should be plenty of chances for the Jets' front to make coverage sacks, as quarterbacks struggle to find open receivers down the field.

"Not too many quarterbacks will be successful with that back end [of the Jets' defense], the way they are," Coples said.

Beyond ditching his gimmicky role, Coples also believes his regular duties this season will involve more pass rushing, and less dropping into coverage from his linebacker position on the edge of the Jets' defensive front.

Coples was a defensive lineman in college. The Jets drafted him 16th overall in 2012. Ryan moved Coples to rush outside linebacker in 2013. It was a rocky adjustment at times, as Coples got used to the non-pass rushing aspects of the job, like dropping into coverage.

Through three seasons, Coples has mostly underwhelmed.

Yes, he has 161/2 career sacks, including a career-best 61/2 last season. But Pro Football Focus in 2014 rated him 39th out of 46 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL, including 27th as a pass rusher and 17th in coverage. Against the run, he ranked 42nd.

In 2013, PFF rated Coples 31st overall, 38th as a pass rusher, 22nd in coverage and 18th against the run.

Coples needs to take a step forward in 2015. Yes, the Jets picked up the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, though that doesn't mean they definitely will retain him in 2016. Far from it. He must prove to the Jets that he is worth keeping.

The Jets just drafted an outside linebacker, Louisville's Lorenzo Mauldin, in the third round. But the presence of Coples and Jason Babin (who turns 35 later this month) at the rush linebacker spot means Mauldin won't be forced to contribute immediately.

Will more pass rushing and fewer coverage duties lead to progress for Coples in 2015? Coples hopes so, though he isn't dwelling on what he had to do last year.

NFL Draft 2015:

Darryl Slater's grades for all of the Jets' picks

"The coach asked me to do a job," Coples said of Ryan having him handle coverage duties. "I could've been stubborn, like, 'No, I'm going to rush the passer.' But whatever helps the team. At the end of the day, I get judged based upon getting to the quarterback. But it only matters if I'm helping the team. If I help the team win, and I'm not rushing the quarterback, then I'll take the win over rushing the quarterback."

But rushing the quarterback ...

Coples jumped in to finish the sentence.

"Is what I'd like to do, yes, no question," he said.

Staff writer Dom Cosentino contributed reporting to this story.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.