There’s an important distinction for what’s going on with New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson — he’s at a crossroads of his career with the organization not a definitive end.
The former number-13 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft is still only 24-years-old. He’s made mistakes, but there’s no reason to write him off yet. The basic fact is he’s incredibly talented at something not many have the ability to do.
According to Pro Football Focus, Richardson graded out as the second best 3-4 defensive end last season as a second-year pro. He tied for the second most quarterback sacks with nine, had the third most quarterback hits with 14, tied for the fifth most QB hurries at 31 and was tied for the top grade versus the run. Richardson would have been the only player at the position not named J.J. Watt to record a grade above 40 if he didn’t have a negative mark with penalties.
Street racing with a young teenager in a car was dangerous and an incredibly bad look. Street racing on its own isn’t a smart decision.
The Missouri product also reportedly missed team meetings last season.
There’s nothing wrong with smoking weed. Not being able to control your urges potentially leading to losing out on millions of dollars is quite concerning.
That’s the main issue here — it’s adding up all of Richardson’s poor decision making in totality. However Richardson goes about it he has to show he cares enough about himself to no longer put himself in these positions. He’s not going to be able to regain trust of the Jets organization quickly, it’s going to be a process that takes time, maybe even years.
Let’s be frank, Richardson isn’t on the Jets anymore if he wasn’t a supremely skilled player, but he is. That’s why general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles have handled this situation masterfully. They’ve turned the story surrounding their star into helping him get better and put himself in a position to succeed rather than being dismissive and negative. This is a good thing to do on a human level and for the organization.
Drafting Leonard Williams out of USC with the sixth-overall pick did give New York unusual depth at the position with he, Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson. The problem is Williams reaching his absolute peak as a player might not be as good as Richardson is. The Jets need Richardson long term — he’s more valuable than Wilkerson and in all likelihood Williams too.
The NFL is a different place than the normal world whether you want to accept it or not. Troubled young adults are going to get multiple chances to fail in a way other people wouldn’t at a more normal job. The Jets are going to rightly give Richardson time to get his life together and an opportunity to ultimately flourish for the team. Hopefully it ends up working out for both parties.
