The New York Jets have been the butt of many jokes for almost half a century. They have not won a Super Bowl since Joe Namath famously guaranteed a win in 1968. At this moment, Geno Smith is penciled in as their starting quarterback as they have yet to sign free agent QB (and last year’s starter) Ryan Fitzpatrick. A quick look at the Super Bowl odds shows the Jets a 40 to 1 longshot to win Super Bowl LI. Could they defy the odds and win it all?
If you’re actually reading this article and haven’t skipped over to the comment section to drop a few “lols” and “haha, no!’s”, hear me out. While it is a longshot that the New York Jets capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season, this is undoubtedly the best roster Gang Green has assembled since their consecutive runs to the AFC Championship games in the early Mark Sanchez years.
While Ryan Fitzpatrick broke Jets records last season, the fact that no other team has signed him shows how dispensable the veteran QB is. While a deal is inevitably in the works, if the New York Jets fail to sign last year’s starter, they’re still in good shape. Let’s not forget, Geno Smith was set to enter the 2015-2016 season under center for the Jets before he got into an argument over 500 bucks and got his jaw broken by LB Ikemefuna “I.K.” Enemkpali. He hasn’t wowed anyone during his NFL tenure, but Geno Smith was a stat stuffer and human highlight reel at West Virginia. His mobility is an incredible asset, one which fits this year’s Jets roster very well.
Smith is a very serviceable NFL quarterback, and could blossom into a star this season if Fitzpatrick goes unsigned. For the first time in decades, the New York Jets actually have a few offensive weapons at their QB’s disposal, and elite ones at that. Wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are absolute studs. Newly acquired running back Matt Forte may be in the twilight of his career, but he still has a lot of gas in the tank. The Jets have been a defensive-minded team for the last 20 years or so, but they finally have the tools to get things done on offense going into the 2016-2017 season.
That defense I referenced is in no way depleted this year, either. The G.O.A.T. Darrelle Revis anchors the pass protection for the New York Jets. Defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson are elite talents that will prove to put opposing quarterbacks under pressure every single down on the defensive end. These guys are ready to make some noise this season, no doubt.
With New England facing a 4 game suspension for Tom Brady, the AFC East is open for the taking. The Jets are without question the 2nd best team in the division, and if Garoppolo falters in the first quarter of the season, New York could potentially win it. Once they get into the playoffs, anything can happen.
I like the Jets as a long shot to win it all this year. At 40 to 1, they’re a great value. Some gambling sites have them sitting at 60 to 1, which I love even more. It’s worth throwing a c-note down and potentially watching the improbable come to fruition.
