Zero Jets remain from 2019 uniform reveal photo after Chris Herndon trade

The uniforms the Jets unveiled before the 2019 season were meant to represent a new era for an organization in desperate need of a shot in the arm.

Jamal Adams, Robby Anderson, Sam Darnold, Quincy Enunwa, Chris Herndon and Leonard Williams were called upon to model New York’s fresh look. Darnold was supposed to be the quarterback to lead the Jets back to the postseason, with Anderson, Enunwa and Herndon working as his favorite targets. Adams and Williams were supposed to be the anchors of New York’s defense, striking fear into the hearts of opponents on a weekly basis.

A photo was snapped of the six Jets, a commemoration of the new era that was underway.

Just over two years have passed since Adams, Anderson, Darnold, Enunwa, Herndon and Williams donned Gang Green’s new threads for the first time. None of those players wear them any longer.

Adams forced his way out of town in a rather forceful manner, while Anderson left for the Panthers in free agency. Darnold was sent to join him in a trade this offseason. Enunwa was forced to retire early due to injury. Williams was shipped across town to the Giants after providing the Jets with little to no production in the trenches.

Herndon was the last man standing among the photoshoot squad until Joe Douglas dealt him and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the tight end-needy Vikings on Tuesday. The Jets received a 2022 fourth-round selection. The move addressed a major need for Minnesota in wake of Irv Smith Jr.’s season-ending meniscus injury.

Herndon was never the same player after a promising rookie season in which he caught 39 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns. The Miami product hauled in just 31 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns over the next two seasons, tumbling down the depth chart in the process.

New York’s preseason slate was Herndon’s last chance to save himself. Instead, he failed to make any sort of impact in the first three games of the Robert Saleh era.

The Jets are not banking on new jerseys to give them life in 2021. With a new head coach and a promising rookie quarterback in Zach Wilson taking the reigns of the offense after a successful preseason, New York once again has hope for the future. The results might not come this season, but the foundation will be laid for Saleh and his team to succeed for years to come.

Just don’t get Gang Green’s core together for a photoshoot anytime soon. History indicates it might not end well.