Christopher Johnson wise not to require Jets playoff mandate

Heading into next season, the New York Jets don’t have any mandate to make the NFL Playoffs as per owner Christopher Johnson. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a wise move considering how far the Jets are from contending.

Make no mistake about it, the New York Jets are indeed heading in the right direction. For a rebuild to be done where it leads to consistent winning results, it takes at least three years. Ideally, the Jets started their rebuild last season opting for youth and a team-first mentality.

2017 proved to be a success, despite their 5-11 final record, considering a lot of younger players got to develop throughout the season. This is key to rebuilding the right way since the Jets are well on their way as they enter year three in 2018 under the current leadership regime.

The Jets still have a very long way to go before they’re a playoff-contending team. They still have one big question mark at quarterback, need more of a consistent pass rush, and need better weapons to be efficient on offense.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target

Next season, owner Christopher Johnson made sure to not have the Jets enter a “playoffs or bust” situation where jobs of leadership could be in jeopardy.  In an article written by Rich Cimini of ESPN, he confirmed that Johnson isn’t issuing a playoff mandate for the Jets. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’m more hopeful we’re going to be there,” Johnson said at the NFL meetings, “but I’m not putting out a playoff mandate.”

Johnson is wise to not put the Jets on such a mandate since realistically speaking, they’re not a playoff-contending team heading into next season by any stretch of the imagination. Even if they select their next franchise quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, it’ll take that player a bit of time before they’re ready to start and be successful.

Besides quarterback, the Jets still need a lot more impact players in every aspect of the game. They lack weapons on offense, defense, and even special teams since ask yourself, when was the last time the Jets got a touchdown on a kickoff or punt return? Yeah, it hasn’t happened since 2011.

Overall, it’s expected the Jets should be a better team this upcoming season compared to last year. At least one can only hope so but at the end of the day, don’t expect them to magically turn into a 12+ win team steamrolling into the postseason. Even Johnson knows the Jets need just another season or two before everything comes together to reach such goals.