EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Maye #20 of the New York Jets in action against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The New York Jets have a big problem with their defense. It stinks. Despite having considerable talent on their defensive line and some surprisingly solid performances from their young cornerbacks, they’re terrible as a unit. How bad? Well, according to profootballreference.com, the Jets will finish dead last in the NFL in points allowed (477 with 1 week remaining) for the first time in franchise history.
Jets safety Marcus Maye also has a problem. He was hoping to play well in 2021 to cash in as a free agent this offseason. As it turns out, Maye tore his Achilles Tendon and has spent most of the year on IR. The injury will almost certainly put an end to Maye’s hopes of a big contract offer. Could this make for a perfect marriage; or, reconciliation?
Getting back to the Jets atrocious defense; The 477 points surrendered this season are only worse than last year’s group which gave up 457. If some of their opponents hadn’t taken their foot off the gas, there’s a very real chance that Gang Green would have surrendered a combined 1,000 points over the past two seasons. As it stands, they’ll probably end up in the high 900’s as they currently stand at 934 with the Bills coming up on Sunday.
With this being the case, the Jets need some answers on defense. Primarily, they’ll need to add at least one pass rusher to (hopefully) team with Carl Lawson. They’ll need another starting cornerback opposite Bryce Hall to compete with Brandin Echols, a pair of linebackers and at least one safety. The latter being one the Jets could address before the draft if they get back back to the negotiating table with Marcus Maye.