Better cast, bigger expectations: Sam Darnold key to Jets' turnaround

Coach Adam Gase made headlines from the NFL owners meetings last week when he said playoff contention is a "realistic" goal for the New York Jets, who haven't contended for anything lately except the top pick in the draft. The Jets improved their postseason chances by adding big-name talent in NFL free agency, but they can't call themselves a legitimate contender unless quarterback Sam Darnold takes a big step forward in his second season.

Le'Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder and Kelechi Osemele will help the offense, and C.J. Mosley will bring a new level of nasty to the defense, but the 2019 Jets need a galvanizer. It has to be Darnold. That can be said about a lot of quarterbacks, but it's…