We’ve seen it from Todd Bowles over, and over, and over again. Players thrown into training camp with their job on the line. In 2018, we’ll see that once again in plenty of spots. Whose jobs are on the line?
Here are the 4 positions in which players will battle for starting jobs.
Quarterback
Shocker. It seems like the Jets haven’t gone into camp with a solidified starting signal caller in decades.
We’ll see yet another battle between the quarterbacks this summer between Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, and whichever rookie (assumingly) comes to town. We’ve seen Bowles lean towards veterans in the past, but the quarterback job is anyone’s for the taking at this point.
I seriously could not tell you who I see starting week one yet. This battle is so wide open and anyone can blow it up. Might as well throw Terrelle Pryor into the mix at this point.
Wide Receiver
The Jets currently have 16 receivers on their roster. Yes, 16 receivers. Who in the world would ever need 16 receivers? It’s safe to say a very good amount of these guys won’t make the 53-man roster, so it’s up to the players to fight for their spot on the roster.
With guys like Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor and Andre Roberts basically having a locked spot on the team, the spots become very, very slim.
The Jets’ third and fourth round picks of the 2017 draft, Ardarius Stewart and Chad Hansen, roles are both in jeopardy. There is no way the front office keeps any more than seven receivers on the 53-man roster, so time will tell who makes the cut.
Jets have 16 WRs on the roster. This is Page 1. pic.twitter.com/slSR1HA8nj
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 27, 2018
Tight End
Austin Seferian-Jenkins finally brought the tight end position back into the Jets offense… and now he’s gone. Todd Bowles and new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates will look to either Jordan Leggett or Neal Sterling to bring what ASJ brought to the table.
Leggett, a 2017 fifth-round pick, seemed to be set up for a big role last season before suffering a season-ending injury. Now he looks to become the guy Seferian-Jenkins was for the offense. On the other hand, Sterling balled in the back end of the season. These two will battle for the starting job in 2018, and either can come out on top.
Running Back
Is this the year Bilal Powell gets what he deserves? Or will he be once again lost in the shadows?
Isaiah Crowell joined Gang Green this offseason and looks to become the guy Chris Ivory was in 2015. Feature back Elijah McGuire is coming off a solid rookie season and could look for a bigger role. Even Thomas Rawls came in for a visit recently.
A crowded running back room with plenty of guys fighting for carries. Who comes out on top? Who knows. All we know is it will be a hard-fought battle for the top spot.
– James Cunningham is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @nyjfansnationFollow @FPC_Jets
