Top 3 burning questions on the Jets offense for 2018

The New York Jets seem to have finally nabbed their franchise quarterback. Gang Green also added some decent offensive weapons in free agency. Here’s a look at the top three burning questions for the Jets offense heading into the regular season.

What do New York Jets fans think of when they daydream of the offense as the 2018 season approaches? One name: Sam Darnold.

Can you blame them? General manager Mike Maccagnan‘s bold trade that resulted in the Jets moving up in the draft resulted in selecting Darnold. Of course, many touted the California native as the best signal caller in the draft as the Jets got a lot of praise once he was officially drafted.

Obviously, Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles did more just add Darnold. They went out and signed running back Isaiah Crowell and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor.

The Jets seem to have a lot of steady players on the offensive side of the ball, but they don’t have a clear-cut superstar. Like the team’s defense, the offense is full of players that can make or break the Jets season. Let’s take a look at the top three burning questions for the offense as they prepare for 2018.

3. What will the RB position look like?

The Jets have an interesting running back situation. Crowell was signed as a free agent, and he looks to headline the backfield with Bilal Powell. Crowell is more of a pure running back, which means he could compliment the dynamic Powell very well.

Powell has been the Jets on again, off again lead running back for parts of the past two seasons. He went for a career-high 772 rushing yards last year, but he saw his role in the passing game diminish.

Crowell has been knocking on the back door of 1,000 rushing yards in a season, with 952 in 2016 and 853 in 2017. His presence may allow Powell to be more involved in the passing game, which is a role Powell had been highly involved in prior to 2017.

Powell and Crowell aren’t the only running backs the Jets will look to get production from. Elijah McGuire, Thomas Rawls, and Trenton Cannon are three other players that will look to take some reps this season.

Next: 2. Can the offensive line improve?

2. Can the offensive line improve?

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

One of the biggest and recent themes in the NFL has been the creation of dominant offensive lines. We have seen this with teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Well, the Jets are far from the Eagles and Cowboys. According to Pro Football Focus, the Jets come into the 2018 campaign with the 31 ranked offensive line in the NFL.

The cast has many familiar faces with James Carpenter, Kelvin Beachum, Brian Winters, and Brandon Shell. Perhaps the biggest upgrade on the offense was the signing of Spencer Long to play center.

The Jets offensive line finished last year with the 30th ranked unit. There is no doubt this unit needs to play much better this year. All-in-all, improvement is a must for the Jets offensive line.

Next: 1. Who wins the QB competition?

1. Who wins the QB competition?

Darnold has already been discussed above, as he is one of the three quarterbacks on the Jets roster. He joins Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater.

All three of these signal callers are expected to compete for the starting job. McCown is coming off a great year for the Jets, while Bridgewater was brought in on a “prove it deal” to see what he brings to the table.

McCown seems to be the most likely candidate to be under center Week 1. Bridgewater is also a favorite because he will look to show the league his past knee injury won’t slow him up.

Must Read: Top 10 Jets draft busts of all-time

Then there is Darnold, who we will call the people’s choice. The former USC Trojan should not be rushed, but there is a dangerous excitement around the idea of him taking snaps when the season rolls around. Ultimately, it will likely be McCown that wins the quarterback competition as he’ll continue where he left off from last year.