Jets GM Joe Douglas set out to drastically upgrade his roster this offseason in hopes that it could contend for a playoff berth by the end of the 2020 regular season.
Moves can still be made -- the Jamal Adams situation and some extra cap space to use make that the case -- but for the most part, the field is basically set for training camp. Big, positive changes were made but Douglas couldn't fix every hole on the roster.
That's why the Jets will need to cross their fingers and pray some things just work out for the best.
New York had a hot second half that led to a 7-9 record, but it couldn't overcome a putrid start that resulted in a 1-7 mark through its first eight games. If the Jets can replicate that second half right from the start this season, they could find themselves battling for the Lombardi Trophy.
Two more playoff teams, one per conference, have been added thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement. And with Tom Brady out of the AFC East, many believe the division is wide open for a new team to sit atop the throne. That's what the Jets have going for them -- if only they can put it all together.
Douglas, head coach Adam Gase and everyone else at One Jets Drive will need to lean on a few specific facets of their team if they wish to even sniff the playoffs. And it all starts with their quarterback...
Sam Darnold's big leap
It's beating a dead horse at this point because it's been mentioned so many times, but the Jets really are leaning on Darnold more than anything this year to stay healthy, be consistent, and most importantly, lead this team to wins.
Year 3 means the young quarterback has spent two seasons to get all his trials and tribulations out. Darnold's first two years haven't been ideal with his poor health start to 2019, and not having the necessary players around him to help his development. But he is in a much better position now thanks to Douglas, so it's time for him to take that leap.
If the Jets make the playoffs it's because Darnold helped the league's worst offense last season (273 yards per game) do a complete 180.
Video: C.J. Mosley chats about the NFL and social justice
O-line fits like glue
Douglas did his job and revamped the entire offensive line for next season. He signed guys (Greg Van Roten, Connor McGovern, George Fant, Alex Lewis) and drafted Mekhi Becton 11th overall to make a brand new unit that is expected to be starting together throughout the season.
Will all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly? At first, they might need some wiggle room or shaved edges to make it so. But in the end, the goal is to have this line fortified and keeping Sam Darnold upright.
If it doesn't, well, you can bet the Jets won't be fulfilling that playoff goal. Le'Veon Bell couldn't get anything going last season because he had no holes to run through and he was running for his life like a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. And if Darnold didn't have his mobility, who knows how many sacks would've been on the stat sheet each week?
It's expected to be an improved unit for sure, but we'll know just how well they work together -- and what needs to be fixed -- from the start.
C.J. Mosley stays healthy
The Jets' defense under Gregg Williams last year was a miracle. Injuries decimated his crew but his roster depth and clever play-calling led to some stellar play.
But if there is one player he missed the most it was certainly Mosley, the Jets' defensive captain that dealt with a groin injury all season long, limiting his play to just two games.
Why are the Jets leaning on Mosley now? He's an anchor in the middle of the defense, and that was apparent in Week 1 against the Bills when Buffalo couldn't get anything going with the veteran linebacker consistently showing his dominance at the line of scrimmage. The source of his injury even came breaking up a deep pass to one of the speediest receivers in the league in John Brown.
Add in the fact that Adams, another true leader of this defense, might get traded and you can see why Mosley will be relied on heavily this season to continue being a disruptor and leader for Williams.
Breshad Perriman picks up where he left off
The Jets did draft Denzel Mims in the second round -- a steal to some evaulators. The rookie could be the receiver Darnold links up with for the rest of his Jets career. But there is no real knowing what to expect from the Baylor product in his first season.
Robby Anderson has left Gang Green and Darnold hasn't had a consistent tight end to throw to either. Jamison Crowder helped last season, and he's expected to again. But what Darnold really needs is for Anderson's replacement in Perriman to prove he can produce like he did in his final games as a Buccaneer last season.
Perriman had 645 yards on 36 catches last season, but more than half of that came in the final three games of the season with 349 yards on 17 receptions. Of course, the Jets don't expect Perriman to tally over 100 yards per game. However, he did showcase his speed, ability to get open, and that he can make opponents pay with the deep ball.
That's what the Jets will need on a consistent basis, as Perriman is being asked to step up and be a primary target that Darnold can rely on other than Crowder. He has said he can make it happen, and the Jets will hope he lives up to those words.
Adam Gase's offense needs to work
Gase had to give a lot of credit to Williams for keeping the Jets in games last season. The Jets don't make that second half run without their solid play.
But the Jets won't be making any playoff runs if Gase's offense isn't over its first-year woes. Yes, it does take some time for a new offense to be implemented into a new team. But everyone, for the most part, has one year under it, especially Darnold. He and Gase both believe things will be more smooth than they were last season.
The Jets can't afford to remain in the dump here, and Gase knows it.