Look, being a Jets fan is basically a full-time job in emotional management. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the New York Jets depth chart lately, you know the vibe is... different. We aren't just talking about a few new faces; we’re talking about a complete identity shift under Head Coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey.
The Aaron Rodgers era is officially a memory. It was a wild ride, but after the messy breakup and his move to Pittsburgh, the franchise had to burn it down to build it back up. Now, we’re staring at a roster that feels younger, faster, and—honestly—a little bit more mysterious than what we saw a couple of years ago.
The Quarterback Room: It's Complicated
Right now, the QB situation is a total construction zone. Justin Fields was supposed to be the "post-Rodgers" solution, but after a brutal 2025 where he ended up on Injured Reserve with a knee injury, his future in New Jersey is shaky at best. He’s technically still at the top of the New York Jets depth chart, but with a $40 million contract and a $10 million guarantee for 2026, many experts, including those at Sports Illustrated, see him as a prime cut candidate.
Then you have the "new guys." The team just signed Bailey Zappe to a reserve/future contract this January. Is he the starter? Probably not. But he’s veteran insurance. Meanwhile, Hendon Hooker and Brady Cook are the names everyone is debating at the local diner. Cook actually showed some guts down the stretch last season, and Hooker moved from the practice squad to the active roster late in the year.
Basically, the Jets are holding the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. You don’t hold that pick unless you’re thinking about a franchise-altering signal caller. Whether they grab a guy like Ty Simpson or stick with the "bridge and project" model remains the biggest question of the offseason.
Playmakers: Will Breece and Garrett Stay Put?
This is where things get stressful for fans. Garrett Wilson is the undisputed WR1, but his 2025 was cut short by a knee injury. Even with only seven games played, he led the team in receiving yards. That’s both a testament to how elite he is and a sad indictment of how thin the rest of the receiving corps was.
If he leads the team again in 2026, he’ll set a franchise record. But he needs someone to actually throw him the ball.
The RB situation is even more of a drama. Breece Hall just hit his first 1,000-yard rushing season. He was the engine of a team that had almost no passing threat. Now, he’s an unrestricted free agent. There’s a lot of talk about the Jets using the franchise tag—roughly $14.2 million—to keep him for one more year.
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- Breece Hall: Free Agent / Potential Tag.
- Khalil Herbert: Solid RB2 depth.
- Kene Nwangwu: The return specialist who also helps in the backfield.
- Braelon Allen: Currently on IR, hoping to return to his "bruiser" role.
If the Jets lose Hall, the New York Jets depth chart at running back goes from "elite" to "average" overnight.
The Trenches and the Defensive Shift
Under Aaron Glenn, the defense has shifted to a 4-2 base, and it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Jermaine Johnson is still the heartbeat of the edge rush, but the loss of Will McDonald IV to a knee injury late last year was a gut punch.
On the interior, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs are the primary anchors. They’ve been solid, but the draft rumors suggest the Jets are looking for a "badass 1-tech" to really make this defense hum.
The offensive line is finally seeing some stability with Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker (if he re-signs). We saw the team re-sign center Josh Myers to a two-year extension in December, which was a smart move to keep the communication lines open for whoever is under center.
Current Defensive Outlook (January 2026)
- EDGE: Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor.
- IDL: Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, Khalen Saunders.
- LB: Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams (Free Agent), Kiko Mauigoa (IR).
- CB: Brandon Stephens, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Azareye’h Thomas.
- S: Malachi Moore, Dean Clark, Andre Cisco.
Why the Draft Changes Everything
The Jets are sitting on a mountain of draft capital. We’re talking about the 2nd overall pick, plus Nos. 16, 33, and 44. That is an insane amount of leverage.
Most mock drafts, including those from NBC Sports, have the Jets looking at Ohio State WR Carnell Tate. Adding a separator like Tate alongside Garrett Wilson would give New York one of the most dangerous young duos in the league. But then there’s the QB factor. If they don't take a quarterback at No. 2, they are essentially betting the house that Justin Fields can rehab or that a veteran like Zappe or Cook can manage the game.
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What’s Next for the Roster?
Honestly, the next sixty days are going to be chaotic. Between the "legal tampering" period in March and the draft in April, the New York Jets depth chart is basically written in pencil.
If you're looking for actionable insights on how to track this, keep an eye on the franchise tag deadline for Breece Hall. That will tell you everything you need to know about their 2026 philosophy. If they tag him, they’re trying to win now with a rookie QB or a revitalized Fields. If they let him walk, they are in a full-scale multi-year rebuild.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL transaction wire every Monday; the Jets have been hyper-active with reserve/future signings like Mac Dalena and Lenny Krieg.
- Monitor the recovery of Garrett Wilson and Will McDonald IV. Their health determines if the Jets need to use those top 45 picks on "best player available" or "emergency replacements."
- Watch for the "Top 30" draft visits. The Jets usually telegraph their interest in O-line and DT prospects through these meetings.