FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The stakes got higher this week for the New York Jets' maligned offensive line. Quarterback Sam Darnold returns to the lineup, which means the five guys up front are charged with protecting the franchise's most precious commodity. Every sack -- heck, every quarterback hit -- should serve notice to general manager Joe Douglas that his No. 1 priority in the offseason needs to be the line. Darnold's future (and his present) depend on it.
"They're retarding his growth," a longtime personnel executive said this week. "You just hope it's not a sign of things to come.