ESPN -- With one game remaining, this is a good time to take stock of the New York Jets’ season. Let's examine the top individual performances, along with the most disappointing:
BIGGEST SURPRISES
QB Josh McCown -- You knew he’d be a good teammate, but who could’ve envisioned a career renaissance at 38? He posted a 94.5 passer rating before a season-ending hand injury, the team’s best rating since Vinny Testaverde's 101.6 in 1998. Contract status: free agent.
WR Robby Anderson -- He and punter Lachlan Edwards are the most improved players on the team. Anderson went from a one-trick pony to an all-around receiver -- he's only 61 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. He still has a long way to go; maintaining his focus will be the key to reaching his full potential. Contract status: signed through 2018.
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins -- One of the offseason stars, Seferian-Jenkins carried the momentum into the season. His production has waned in recent weeks, but Seferian-Jenkins still has exceeded expectations with 50 catches. More important, he has cleaned up his personal life. Re-signing him should be one of the team’s priorities. Contract status: free agent.
LB Demario Davis -- He predicted before the season that he’d be better than Demario 1.0. He was right. Davis has improved all facets of his game, becoming a steady Mike linebacker. He leads the team with five sacks. He, too, should be an offseason priority. Contract status: free agent.
S Marcus Maye -- Overshadowed by fellow rookie safety Jamal Adams, Maye has impressed the coaching staff with his steady play and unflappable demeanor. He should make more plays for a safety who lines up mostly in the deep post (two interceptions), but that will come in time. Maye could end the franchise's long second-round jinx. Contract status: signed through 2020.
PK Chandler Catanzaro -- Let’s be honest: Catanzaro was bad last season in Arizona. The Jets saw something in him that others didn't, and he rebounded with a solid year (23-for-27 on field goals). Contract status: free agent.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
DE Muhammad Wilkerson -- A year ago, the big question surrounding Wilkerson was whether he was playing hurt. Now he’s perfectly healthy, but he can’t get on the field because of disciplinary and attitude issues. Oh, the irony. He's expected to be inactive in the final game, too, so you've likely seen the last of him. He will be released before mid-March, allowing $11 million of his $20 million cap hit to come off the books. Contract status: signed through 2020.
QB Christian Hackenberg -- He's the Jets' biggest mystery since Tim Tebow, who was planted on the bench for most of the 2012 season. In theory, Hackenberg should be playing, but the coaching staff doesn't believe he's ready, not even for mop-up duty. He's on the verge of becoming only the third quarterback selected in the first two rounds of the common-draft era (since 1967) to not play a game in his first two seasons. The other two are Gene Bradley (1980, second round) and Hall of Famer Jim Kelly (1983, first), both drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Kelly played his first three years in the USFL, so he shouldn't count. Contract status: signed through 2019.
RB Matt Forte -- A chronic knee condition has hampered Forte throughout the season. It’s too bad, because his versatility as a runner and receiver could have made him a real factor in John Morton’s offense. Forte has rushed for only 381 yards, by far a career low. He, too, is a likely cap casualty. Contract status: signed through 2018.
C Wesley Johnson -- He went from Nick Mangold's understudy to a full-time starting gig, and it hasn't been an easy transition. Coach Todd Bowles called it an "up-and-down" year for Johnson, who is smart but limited in terms of strength and athleticism. He probably will be replaced in the offseason. Contract status: free agent.
CB Rashard Robinson -- This is starting to look like a bad trade. At the trading deadline, the Jets acquired Robinson from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick, thinking his size and athleticism would be ideal in their press-man scheme. Robinson has played only 20 defensive snaps and was inactive for the first time last Sunday. He surrendered big plays a few weeks ago against the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a demotion. Contract status: signed through 2019.
BIGGEST SURPRISES
QB Josh McCown -- You knew he’d be a good teammate, but who could’ve envisioned a career renaissance at 38? He posted a 94.5 passer rating before a season-ending hand injury, the team’s best rating since Vinny Testaverde's 101.6 in 1998. Contract status: free agent.
WR Robby Anderson -- He and punter Lachlan Edwards are the most improved players on the team. Anderson went from a one-trick pony to an all-around receiver -- he's only 61 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. He still has a long way to go; maintaining his focus will be the key to reaching his full potential. Contract status: signed through 2018.
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins -- One of the offseason stars, Seferian-Jenkins carried the momentum into the season. His production has waned in recent weeks, but Seferian-Jenkins still has exceeded expectations with 50 catches. More important, he has cleaned up his personal life. Re-signing him should be one of the team’s priorities. Contract status: free agent.
LB Demario Davis -- He predicted before the season that he’d be better than Demario 1.0. He was right. Davis has improved all facets of his game, becoming a steady Mike linebacker. He leads the team with five sacks. He, too, should be an offseason priority. Contract status: free agent.
S Marcus Maye -- Overshadowed by fellow rookie safety Jamal Adams, Maye has impressed the coaching staff with his steady play and unflappable demeanor. He should make more plays for a safety who lines up mostly in the deep post (two interceptions), but that will come in time. Maye could end the franchise's long second-round jinx. Contract status: signed through 2020.
PK Chandler Catanzaro -- Let’s be honest: Catanzaro was bad last season in Arizona. The Jets saw something in him that others didn't, and he rebounded with a solid year (23-for-27 on field goals). Contract status: free agent.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
DE Muhammad Wilkerson -- A year ago, the big question surrounding Wilkerson was whether he was playing hurt. Now he’s perfectly healthy, but he can’t get on the field because of disciplinary and attitude issues. Oh, the irony. He's expected to be inactive in the final game, too, so you've likely seen the last of him. He will be released before mid-March, allowing $11 million of his $20 million cap hit to come off the books. Contract status: signed through 2020.
QB Christian Hackenberg -- He's the Jets' biggest mystery since Tim Tebow, who was planted on the bench for most of the 2012 season. In theory, Hackenberg should be playing, but the coaching staff doesn't believe he's ready, not even for mop-up duty. He's on the verge of becoming only the third quarterback selected in the first two rounds of the common-draft era (since 1967) to not play a game in his first two seasons. The other two are Gene Bradley (1980, second round) and Hall of Famer Jim Kelly (1983, first), both drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Kelly played his first three years in the USFL, so he shouldn't count. Contract status: signed through 2019.
RB Matt Forte -- A chronic knee condition has hampered Forte throughout the season. It’s too bad, because his versatility as a runner and receiver could have made him a real factor in John Morton’s offense. Forte has rushed for only 381 yards, by far a career low. He, too, is a likely cap casualty. Contract status: signed through 2018.
C Wesley Johnson -- He went from Nick Mangold's understudy to a full-time starting gig, and it hasn't been an easy transition. Coach Todd Bowles called it an "up-and-down" year for Johnson, who is smart but limited in terms of strength and athleticism. He probably will be replaced in the offseason. Contract status: free agent.
CB Rashard Robinson -- This is starting to look like a bad trade. At the trading deadline, the Jets acquired Robinson from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick, thinking his size and athleticism would be ideal in their press-man scheme. Robinson has played only 20 defensive snaps and was inactive for the first time last Sunday. He surrendered big plays a few weeks ago against the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a demotion. Contract status: signed through 2019.
