Aggressive Jets take flight quickly
The Jets haven’t quite gone into warp speed during this multi-year rebuilding phase, but there have been signs of a more strategically aggressive approach that will serve them well. Gang Green has made some smart decisions in the past year that should give a starving fan base reason to believe that they’re turning the corner.
“You look at how Philadelphia won the Super Bowl,” CEO Christopher Johnson said Wednesday. “They did it being aggressive. If they had just played the numbers, I don’t know if they would have won. So, yeah, we’re being aggressive. But we’re being careful too.”
Winning organizations always start at the top. Find a sound owner and I’ll show you a sound franchise. Christopher Johnson has struck the right chord since Woody Johnson went across the pond to work for the Trump Administration.
Everything flows from Christopher Johnson’s leadership now.
The decision to give contract extensions to Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles last December through 2020 was the first true indication that this place was allin to rebuild the proper way. Consistency at GM and head coach will breed success.
Johnson reiterated that Maccagnan and he share the same philosophy of team building. His choice not to have a 2018 playoff mandate coming off backto-back five-win seasons will be another prescient move.
“No. 1, it’s highly counterproductive,” Johnson said. “I can’t imagine why that would be a positive thing. You can make advances that don’t show up in the win-loss record. I think we were a team to be reckoned with last year. I think we will be this year, too. Maybe more so.
“I’m not a patient man necessarily,” Johnson later added. “But some things take some time. We might be surprised how much time it takes. And we might be surprised how little time it takes. But I wouldn’t ask the fans to be patient…. But it can’t happen fast enough.”
The Jets looked like kings of the world in their Monday night rout of the Lions, but this is a sport where one week’s king can look like next week’s clown if they’re not careful.
Regardless, Johnson is smart enough to understand that setting a high bar every year should be every team’s mindset.
“I’m always going to want to go to the Super Bowl,” Johnson said. “Do I expect that? I want to be there. If you’re in this league and you aren’t trying to get to the Super Bowl – and that isn’t your expectation from Day 1 – what the hell are you doing here?”
It’s a balancing act to build for tomorrow, while trying to win today. These Jets have shown an ability to adapt quickly and adjust, while maintaining structure in their overall plan. Consider what has transpired in the past nine months. The Jets, aware that landing Kirk Cousins was no slam dunk, laid the foundation for a potential trade with the Colts at the Senior Bowl in late January.
When Cousins signed with Minnesota in March, the Jets re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater, a low-risk, high-reward player. A few days later, they made the deal with the Colts before other teams looking for a quarterback (see: Buffalo) could jump into that critical No. 3 spot in the draft.
“I think the trade up to No. 3 was pivotal,” Johnson said. “It’s maybe the most important decision that the organization has made in a long time… I mean, certainly in years.”
It was an example of smart strategic planning that worked out perfectly. Darnold dropped to No. 3 in the draft before impressing this summer. (Johnson, by the way, said that he played no role in deciding to start Darnold. “I’m not yet Jerry Jones,” he said).
Bridgewater played well enough in the preseason to turn a $1 million investment into a third-round pick from the Saints.
The Jets signed players at areas of need (cornerback, running back, punt returner) in free agency, too.
Gang Green also did legwork to try to get Jaguars pass rusher Dante Fowler, Jr.
The organization’s decision to make an aggressive play for Raiders All-Pro Khalil Mack showed that it wasn’t content sitting on its hands.
That mindset should give everyone confidence in this group. The Jets might surprise people with an unexpected playoff run this season. Even if they don’t, the organization has set itself up to be legitimate contenders in 2019.
“Next year we have the most money (available to spend in) free agency,” Johnson said. “I think there’s reason to believe that there’s going to be some interesting free agents coming out. It’ll be another chance for us to improve the team. Maybe expectations should ramp up here. But for right now, I think that this team is advancing. I’m happy with what I see so far.”
The Jets have been aggressive without being reckless this year. It’s a fine line for any team, especially one hoping to set a foundation for sustainable success. So far, so good.