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Christopher Johnson knew early in the season that his New York Jets were heading in the right direction.

As the acting owner/CEO http://www.packerscheapstore.com/elgton-jenkins-jersey-cheap , he wanted to see clear progress – with wins and losses not necessarily being an overriding factor in whether he’d stick with coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan moving forward.

”I did see that progress,” Johnson said Tuesday, two days after the Jets completed a second straight 5-11 season. ”It might not have shown up on the final scores, but within the locker room, on the practice field, out during the games, I did see progress.”

That’s what led Johnson to give Bowles and Maccagnan two-year contract extensions, keeping both with the team through the 2020 season.

”It seemed the right choice to me,” Johnson said of giving two extra years rather than just one. ”I like the idea of some stability and going from year to year just didn’t seem right.”

Johnson sensed a positive vibe around the team, something he attributed to Bowles, and liked how young players emerged on a roster that had been overhauled in the offseason. All the changes led to low expectations outside the facility, with some fans and media wondering how the Jets would even win a game.

Instead, New York got off to a 3-2 start as one of the NFL’s early season surprises. The Jets lost nine of their last 11, but the signs were there – as far as Johnson was concerned – that he has the right men in charge in leading the franchise back to respectability, and ultimately, the playoffs.

”I have no mandate,” Johnson said of his expectations for next season. ”Believe me, I want to get to the playoffs. I want to build a team with Mike and Todd that can compete for the playoffs every year. That can’t happen fast enough, but there is no mandate.”

Well, except Jace Sternberger Jersey , of course, the one he has in his sibling rivalry with brother Woody, who transferred control to Christopher before the season to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

”I was serious about that desire to get back to the Super Bowl before my brother gets back here,” Johnson said. ”I would love to have that happen, but there are no mandates. I think the fans are going to be happy with the way we move forward here.”

The Jets will have plenty of decisions to make over the next several months to prepare for next season:

QUARTERBACK QUESTIONS: The top priority for New York will be trying to find a signal caller for the future.

Josh McCown, who had a career season for the Jets before breaking his left hand, will be a free agent and turns 39 in July.

”I still think there’s good football left in Josh,” Maccagnan said. ”From an intangibles standpoint, he was outstanding. I would have no problem bringing him back.”

If he wants to return, that is. McCown might be ready to retire, but if not, will he be OK with serving as a backup to a rookie? The Jets have the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and could aim for one of the top QBs. New York could also choose to go with another veteran – Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees, perhaps – in free agency.

Christian Hackenberg remains a mystery, though. He hasn’t played a snap in the regular season despite being a second-round draft pick last year.

”The book on Christian is not closed,” Maccagnan said. But it appears unlikely he’ll be a franchise quarterback at this point.

FREE AGENCY: The Jets are expected to have somewhere between $90 million and $100 million in salary cap space, so they’ll have plenty of money to spend.

They also have lots of needs to fill, starting with quarterback. But offensive line, pass rusher, cornerback, running back and defensive line depth could all be on New York’s shopping list.

”I think we’ll be very active in free agency http://www.packerscheapstore.com/dexter-williams-jersey-cheap ,” Maccagnan said, adding that the Jets are still doing evaluations of their own players.

IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: Among the Jets’ current players who are scheduled to be free agents are McCown, linebacker Demario Davis, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, cornerback Morris Claiborne, kicker Chandler Catanzaro and center Wesley Johnson.

”We’d never go all-in on something that would last us only a year or two,” Christopher Johnson said. ”We’ll be active in free agency, but it’s only going to be adding pieces that can be with us a good, long time. We’re in a very good position to do that.”

NO MO’ MO?: One player not expected back next season is defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who was inactive the last three games of the season and is due to make $16.75 million.

Wilkerson, the team’s first-round pick in 2011, has dealt with injuries and tardiness issues the past few years and has not approached the level of play that made him a Pro Bowl pick in 2015. Johnson paused for about 10 seconds before declining to comment when asked about Wilkerson’s situation – surely not a good sign.

SUPER DROUGHT: It has been 49 years since the Jets’ only Super Bowl appearance in 1969, a stunning Joe Namath-led victory over the Colts. New York has failed to make the playoffs in seven straight seasons, and Johnson understands fans’ impatience.

”I know we’ve given them a lot more pain than glory recently,” the owner said. ”It’s been a long time since we had proper glory. I think they understand I’m trying to set this team up for glory.”

—

A fist pump and a late fastball on the cusp of 100 mph was all the indication needed to know just how good German Marquez felt Saturday.

He pitched two-hit ball over eight innings and Ian Desmond homered as the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1.

Marquez (6-8) retired his first 15 batters before Enrique Hernandez connected for a home run off the left-field foul pole leading off the sixth. After a Chase Utley single, Marquez dispatched the Dodgers on three fly balls to end the inning and pumped his right fist to emphasize the moment.

”Isn’t that great? I loved that” Rockies manager Bud Black said of the fist pump. ”He uses (his energy) with his fastball. I want him to use it with his fastball but not overthrow. There is a time you can stand on a pitch and lean on it and I think he does that.”

He appeared to do just that with his fastball in the eighth inning. Facing Hernandez two innings after the home run, Marquez struck out the Dodgers’ utility man on a 99.9 mph fastball.

”No doubt I let it rip on that one,” Marquez said through an interpreter. ”But I worked hard in my preparation in between starts and my goal is to maintain my stamina deep into games. I think today I was able to accomplish that.”

Marquez struck out nine and walked none after entering with a 5.53 ERA, third-worst among qualified National League starters.

The Rockies closed out June with three consecutive victories and two consecutive over the Dodgers after getting swept by Los Angeles in a three-game series at Coors Field to begin the month. Colorado finished June with an 11-16 record.

Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda (5-5) gave up three runs, two earned Josh Allen Jersey , on five hits over seven innings and lost for the first time in four June starts. He had a short stint on the disabled list during the month due to a right hip strain. He struck out nine for the second consecutive start.

”It was a good outing,” Maeda said through an interpreter. ”My desire is to be able to pitch deeper into the game and being able to pitch seven innings and is a good thing. But unfortunately, we didn’t get the win and that was something we wanted.”

The Rockies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when DJ LeMahieu scored from third base on a passed ball by catcher Yasmani Grandal. Nolan Arenado struck out, but advanced to first with LeMahieu scoring when the ball got through Grandal.

Desmond went deep in the fifth for a 2-0 lead. It was his 17th home run of the season and career-best 13th on the road.

Trevor Story doubled for the Rockies in the seventh and scored on Chris Iannetta’s single to make it 3-1.

After a strong start to the month, the Dodgers finished June with a 17-9 record, losing four of their last five games.

CLOSER FOR THE DAY

Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino pitched the ninth Saturday for his second save. Closer Wade Davis, who earned the save after Tyler Anderson’s eight-inning outing Friday, was given the night off.

”He pitched great and he deserved to win,” Ottavino said of Marquez. ”That’s two games straight that we got eight innings out of our starters so we appreciate that down in the bullpen. I think everybody does on the team so I think that was just an awesome job by (Marquez).”

Davis is expected to return to the closer role Sunday.

DODGERS DRIVE 55

Hernandez’s home run gave the Dodgers 55 in the month of June, to increase their franchise record for a month. The previous record of 53 was set in June of last season.

His home run was his 14th of the season and third this week. Max Muncy and Joc Pederson each finished with 10 home runs in June. Pederson has 11 on the season.

”I worked really hard in the off season to get stronger and get in better shape,” said Hernandez, whose previous best was 11 home runs last season. ”Last year I hit a lot of doubles and this year those doubles are turning into homers. Hopefully we can keep swinging the bats in July the way we are in June.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: OF David Dahl (broken right foot) is out of a walking boot and will join the team Monday in Colorado to continue his rehab.

Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (right rib microfracture), who made one appearance this week after returning from the DL, will likely need two starts at Class A Rancho Cucamonga before he returns to the Dodgers, according to manager Dave Roberts. … RHP Pedro Baez (right biceps tendinitis) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session, but no timetable for his return has been revealed.

UP NEXT

Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis (5-1, 5.07 ERA) will be back on the road where he excels, as his five road victories were tied for third in the National League at the start of play Saturday. Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling (6-2, 1.98) has a loss and a no-decision in his past two starts following a six-start win streak.