The New York Jets are basically a professional science experiment at this point. If you’ve spent the last few months watching this team, you’ve probably felt that familiar, sinking sensation in your gut. But honestly, this January feels different. It’s not just the standard "we’re bad" vibe. It’s a total identity crisis.
Look at the facts. The team just wrapped up a dismal 3-14 campaign. Aaron Glenn, the rookie head coach who was supposed to bring that "toughness" back to Florham Park, is currently staring at a roster that looks more like a clearance rack than an NFL depth chart. After the 35-8 drubbing in Buffalo to end the year, the noise for a total house-cleaning was deafening. Yet, Woody Johnson is sticking with Glenn for Year 2.
Is it stability? Or is it just a refusal to admit another mistake?
The Justin Fields Experiment is Dead
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Jets update everyone is waiting for revolves around the quarterback, which, in typical Jets fashion, is a disaster.
Last year, the front office convinced themselves that Justin Fields was the answer. They gave him $30 million in guarantees. They thought a change of scenery from Pittsburgh would unlock that first-round potential. Instead, we got a quarterback who failed to hit 50 passing yards in four different starts. It was unwatchable.
Now, with Fields demoted to third string and currently on injured reserve with a knee injury, the team is set to release him. This move will leave behind a staggering $22 million in dead cap. And remember, they’re still paying for the ghost of Aaron Rodgers. If they trade for a veteran or draft a guy at No. 2, they could literally be paying over $100 million in 2026 just for the quarterback position. That is a business nightmare.
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A Draft Strategy That Actually Makes Sense?
Ironically, the Jets are in a position to fix this. Thanks to the Giants winning a couple of meaningless games at the end of the year, the Jets officially secured the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But they aren't just one-pick wonders this time. Because they traded away Sauce Gardner to the Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, they are sitting on a mountain of capital.
- Pick No. 2: Likely a quarterback, though insiders like Heavy are suggesting Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could be the play if they go defense.
- Pick No. 16: Acquired from the Colts.
- Pick No. 33: The first pick of the second round.
- Pick No. 44: From the Cowboys.
Having four picks in the top 50 is the only reason Jets fans haven't completely revolted. The talent pool is deep, too. With Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (the Heisman winner) and Alabama’s Ty Simpson available, the Jets have a literal "get out of jail free" card if they don't mess up the evaluation.
Coaching Carousel: The Search for a DC
While Aaron Glenn is safe, his staff is getting gutted. You've probably heard that Steve Wilks was fired mid-season. That was a mercy killing. The Jets defense—once the pride of the organization—finished 31st in DVOA.
Get this: they became the first unit in NFL history to go an entire season without a single interception. Zero. None. Even a blindfolded safety catches a tipped ball eventually, right? Apparently not in 2025.
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As of this week, the team has interviewed eight candidates for the Defensive Coordinator job. The names are a mix of "been there, done that" and "who is that?":
- Wink Martindale: The veteran who loves to blitz.
- Jim Leonhard: The former Jets safety who everyone in New York loves.
- Chris Harris: The internal candidate who served as interim.
- Al Harris: The Bears DB coach who transformed Dallas' secondary (and a fan favorite to land the job).
The rumor mill suggests Al Harris is the front-runner because of his track record with cornerbacks. If the Jets want to get back to being a "No Fly Zone," he’s the hire.
The Roster Purge is Coming
If you're a fan of Quincy Williams or Andre Cisco, you might want to look away. The Jets have 24 impending free agents, and with the cap situation being a total mess, most of them are walking.
Cisco had an "abysmal" 2025 according to Jets X-Factor, allowing a 152.6 passer rating. He’s gone. Same with Tyrod Taylor, who finally looked his age this season. The most heartbreaking departure might be Quincy Williams. After the team extended Jamien Sherwood and let Quincy’s production dip, it’s clear they are moving in a younger, cheaper direction.
The only guy who seems safe on the offensive line is Olu Fashanu. Everyone else? It’s a coin flip. Alijah Vera-Tucker is incredibly talented, but he’s missed the end of the season in three of his five years. You can't build a wall on "what ifs."
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What Most People Get Wrong About Aaron Rodgers
Wait, isn't Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh? Yes. But he's still haunting the Jets' books. Rodgers played well for the Steelers this year—throwing for 3,000 yards and 20 scores—but with Mike Tomlin resigning, Rodgers' future is a massive question mark.
There was a tiny subset of Jets fans hoping for a reunion. Forget it. The bridge isn't just burned; it’s at the bottom of the Hudson. The Jets are still paying off his contract while Rodgers decides if he wants to play for a fourth team or finally retire to a dark room somewhere. New York is moving on, but the financial hangover will last through the 2026 season.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're following this team, don't get distracted by the coaching rumors. Focus on these three specific benchmarks to see if the Jets are actually improving or just spinning their wheels.
Monitor the DC Hire: If they hire a "safe" veteran like Wink Martindale, expect more of the same. If they go with a high-upside teacher like Al Harris, it signals a shift toward developing the young secondary talent like Malachi Moore.
Watch the "Top 30" Visits: Since the Jets have two first-rounders, they will be hosting every major QB prospect. If they don't bring in Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson for an official visit, it means they might be looking to trade back from No. 2 and accumulate even more picks for a 2027 run.
The $20 Million Threshold: The Jets need to clear roughly $25 million in cap space just to sign their draft class and a few mid-level vets. Watch for the release of Justin Fields and potentially a restructure of Garrett Wilson’s deal. If they don't do this by the start of the new league year in March, they’ll be hamstrung in free agency.
This team is at a crossroads. They have the picks to be a contender by 2028, but they have the leadership that won three games last year. It’s a weird, frustrating, and strangely fascinating time to be a fan of the Green and White. Just don't buy a jersey of anyone currently on the roster—except maybe Garrett Wilson. He’s the only one likely to still be here in two years.