New York Jets: 5 offseason needs in 2019

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against the Green Bay Packers on December 23, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 44-38 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets gets tripped up under pressure from Kyler Fackrell #51 of the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. Improve Sam Darnold’s ball security

Roughly a year ago at this time, it was the proverbially “elephant in the room” when it came to the former USC quarterback. Despite his talent, Sam Darnold had a penchant for mistakes during his tenure with the Trojans. For some, it was enough to knock him back a few notches when it came to the NFL draft – albeit only a few. And now it will be up to new head coach Adam Gase and a new-look New York Jets’ coaching staff to cure what ails the talented 21-year-old talented signal caller.

Back to his two seasons at Southern Cal. In 2016, there were 31 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions. A year later, Darnold threw for 26 scores but was picked off 13 times. In a combined 27 outings, the talented performer also lost 14 of his 21 fumbles.

In his first season with the Green and White, Darnold played and started in 13 contests. He hit on just 57.7 percent of his throws for 2,865 yards and 17 touchdown. But there were also 15 interceptions while the young performer lost two of his five fumbles.

All told, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35), San Francisco 49ers (32) and Buffalo Bills (32) turned over the ball more than the Jets (30) in ’18. And more than half of those were by Darnold (17), who didn’t play an entire season. Safe to say that Gase has some work to do.

Next: No. 2

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