Coffee with the Jets: Ownership promises major activity in 2018

In this edition of Coffee with the New York Jets, owner Chris Johnson promises major activity this offseason, a record-season by punter Lachlan Edwards, and why the book on Christian Hackenberg isn’t closed just yet.

With the NFL Playoffs starting this weekend, it’s going to be sad since it’ll be the first Sunday of many Sunday’s without New York Jets football. Trust me when I say it won’t sink in immediately but many Jets fans will miss that Sunday feeling of watching their favorite team play.

Regardless, watching the playoffs is always exciting since one never knows what will transpire. Will the New England Patriots repeat as champions again? Can the Buffalo Bills actually go all the way? Your guess is as good as mine but hopefully, great football awaits us all and that AFC East division rivals get eliminated faster than a New York minute.

In case you didn’t know, my Coffee with the Jets pieces includes three of the latest articles on Gang Green from the best places on the internet for your reading pleasure. Enjoy and as always, this is great reading material over a hot cup of coffee!

Owner, GM promise Jets to be active in free agency by Rich Cimini (ESPN)

“I think we’re going to be very active in free agency,” said Maccagnan, who, along with coach Todd Bowles, received a two-year contract extension through 2020. “I do think we have a lot of potential to improve this team going forward.”

The Jets will have a little over $100 million to play with in free agency, a full draft class to bolster the roster and a lot of optimism that 2018 could indeed be a winning year. It won’t be easy but the Jets can fix two of their key issues via free agency. If they can bolster their offensive line and cornerback right from the start, that will be a huge step in the right direction. It remains to be seen if they’ll address their quarterback situation via free agency but it will indeed be the hottest topic all offseason long. Especially if they land someone like Kirk Cousins or Alex Smith to really make a bold statement in addition to drafting a top quarterback with their first-round draft pick.

Lachlan Edwards Enjoyed a Record 2nd Season by Randy Lange (New York Jets)

Another milestone for Edwards came with inside-the-20 punts. His 33 this season are the most in franchise history behind only Steve Weatherford, whose 42 I-20s in 2010 set the then-NFL record.

One of the brightest spots of the season goes to the spectacular play of punter Lachlan Edwards. Yeah, I know he’s a punter and all but one can’t knock talent considering that he set a franchise record for most punts inside the 20-yard line. Once the Jets get a dynamic kickoff and punt returner in place for next season, then the special teams unit will be something worth mentioning besides great punts to pin opponents deep in their territory.

Jets refuse to admit their Christian Hackenberg mistake by Brian Costello (New York Post)

“The book on Christian is not closed,” Maccagnan said. “He’s only 22 years old. He’s made progress. He’s made development. This is going to be a good offseason for him. We’re kind of excited to see how he does with the second year in this system. He’s going to have an opportunity in training camp to go out and play again.”

Despite not even taking a single snap in two years, Christian Hackenberg still has at least one person believing that he could be the franchise quarterback the Jets need. General manager Mike Maccagnan isn’t giving up on Hackenberg just yet which bodes well for his chances to stick around in 2018. It’s hard to believe that the Jets didn’t at least give him some playing time in their final game of the season but they’re hoping maybe, just maybe, he can continue developing this offseason and have everything come together come training camp. Who knows, it could happen but I’m not holding my breath since if they didn’t believe in him enough to give him at least a series to work with this past Sunday, I highly doubt a few more months will make much of a difference. Here’s to being proven wrong.

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