DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 19: Christian Hackenberg #5 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the start of the preseason game against the Detroit Lions on August 18, 2017 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

It is the start of another new era at the New York Jets this season. It’s familiar words as the same has been said for the last five years in New Jersey. Jets fans will be hoping this time, it marks the start of something special for their team.

The Jets have not had a winning season since going 10-6 in 2015, but even that was not enough to win the division or reach the playoffs.

If the Jets get the best out of their new head coach, Robert Saleh, in the upcoming season, they will be a tough team to beat. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator looks like he is involved in every play himself from the sidelines.

Saleh has earned this opportunity in New York. He is regarded as one of the best coordinators in the league. He is unlikely to settle for anything but excellence from his roster. Last season’s crop of players, and the new faces, will have realized by now, he is very demanding.

Chance To Get Off to Winning Start Against Panthers

The opening game in the 2021 season for the Jets will come against the Carolina Panthers, another team who struggled last year. Saleh’s team will be buoyed by their pre-season victory over the New York Giants in a low scoring game.

In the NFL predictions for the match at the Bank of America Stadium, the Jets are likely to be a popular choice. Their last victory in week one came in 2018 when they defeated the Detroit Lions 48-17 at Ford Field. With the extra firepower they now have on their roster, an opening weekend win will be expected within the organization.

At bookmakers such as BetOnline, the Jets have NFL odds of +2363 in the betting for the AFC East title this season. They are the outsiders of the four teams in that market. Although a divisional title may be a step too far, they will look to be much closer to the winners this year at the end of the 17 games.

Can Zach Wilson Be the Jets New Franchise Quarterback?

The days of Sam Darnold in New York are no more. The franchise has decided to cut their losses with their former first round pick. He has been traded to Carolina.

With the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. He now has the chance to be a hero for this franchise. In many ways, the pressure is not quite as high on his shoulders. Many have failed in this position in recent years so he does not have much to follow up to.

Wilson scored 33 touchdowns last season and he was the offensive MVP at the Boca Raton Bowl. The Jets clearly really like his game. They were unable to secure Trevor Lawrence, who was widely regarded as the best talent in the draft this year, but the Jets think the BYU graduate is the second-best QB in the class group.

Jets fans have every right to feel optimistic. That could all change if they lose in week one to the Panthers. But if their decisions in the offseason do prove to be the right ones this time, it may not be long before we see those green jerseys back in the playoffs.