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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Todd Bowles of the New York Jets and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shake hands after the Patriots’ 24-17 win at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Todd Bowles of the New York Jets and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shake hands after the Patriots’ 24-17 win at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Head Coach. New York Jets. Todd Bowles. 15. player. 30.

Is there anybody in the NFL who has consistently done more with less than Todd Bowles has over the past three years as Jets head coach? In looking at the rosters he worked with and the records he posted, his success has truly been remarkable.

In Bowles’ first season, 2015, the Jets posted a 10-6 record and almost made the playoffs. They had a top five defense and also surprisingly had a top 10 offense. The amazing part of this? Their offense was led by Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, Chris Ivory at running back, and Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker as the wide-outs. Though the top receivers were strong, depth was lacking. But Bowles helped to find chemistry and motivated them to try hard each week. And that’s how he won the team over.

In 2016, Bowles’ team endured a decline that was expected, as Fitzpatrick came back to earth and the veteran receivers declined. Sill, Bowles found a way to win five games by playing tough defense and even got Bryce Petty to win a game.

Even more impressive, the Jets stripped their roster of talent during the 2017 offseason. They were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Still, Bowles got them to start strong and were in the hunt for the Wild Card early in the season. They eventually would taper off and finish 5-11 for a second season, but nobody would have been surprised to see them go 1-15. They had purged that much talent from their already mediocre roster.

What it boils down to is this. Todd Bowles is an excellent motivator. He knows what makes players tick and knows how to get the most out of them. What he has been able to do with Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown has been incredible. Now, with Sam Darnold in the fold on offense, Bowles will be able to be better off on the offensive side of the ball. And on defense, he will continue to work his magic.

Bowles’ 3-4 scheme suits the Jets very well, and before last season, they had fielded top 11 defenses in both of Bowles’ seasons. He has done well to help Leonard Williams continue to develop, completely revived Demario Davis‘ career, and also has done yeoman’s work with the young defensive backs he’s been given. With more seasoning, the Jets defense could eventually get back to being an above average unit. And Bowles will do a lot to help them continue to rise.

Bowles is an underrated head coach. He really deserves a lot more credit. If Darnold turns out to be a legitimate franchise quarterback and Bowles continues to coach up the young defensive talent, the Jets could be a .500 team and push for the playoffs in the near future.

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