The New York Jets are basically staring into a $150 million abyss right now. If you've been refreshing your feed for ny jets news now, you already know the vibe is heavy. The 2025 season didn't just end; it imploded into a 3-14 wreck that left the franchise with the No. 2 overall pick and more questions than a philosophy major.
Honestly, the Rodgers era feels like a fever dream we all collectively hallucinated. While Aaron Rodgers is out in Pittsburgh throwing shade and making playoff runs (well, until the Texans bounced him last week), the Jets are left holding the bag. It’s messy.
The Aaron Glenn Situation and the DC Search
Woody Johnson decided to stick with Aaron Glenn for 2026. Some fans are livid, others think continuity is the only way out of this basement. But the real "ny jets news now" is the massive hunt for a new defensive coordinator.
The team just wrapped up a marathon of eight virtual interviews. We’re talking about names like Wink Martindale, who’s probably the biggest personality on the list, and former Jets safety Jim Leonhard.
Martindale spent the last two years at Michigan after his stint with the Giants, and his "bring the house" blitz style would certainly change the energy at MetLife. Then you've got Chris Harris, who was the interim DC for the Lions under Aaron Glenn before. It's a crowded room.
- Wink Martindale: The veteran "pressure" guy.
- Jim Leonhard: The hometown favorite with Broncos coaching ties.
- Chris Harris: The internal/familiarity candidate.
- Ephraim Banda: The Browns' safeties coach looking for a jump.
The search is urgent because the Senior Bowl is right around the corner. You can't scout the best college talent effectively if you don't even know what scheme you're running next year.
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The Quarterback Void: Why Dante Moore Changed Everything
For months, the plan seemed simple: draft a franchise savior at No. 2.
Then Dante Moore happened. Or rather, he didn't happen. The Oregon QB announced he’s staying in school for 2026. This absolutely nuked the Jets’ draft board. Suddenly, the "sure thing" at quarterback is gone, leaving the team to look at guys like Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson—or, and this is the scary part, another year of the veteran carousel.
Right now, the Jets have Justin Fields and Brady Cook under contract, but neither felt like "the guy" during that 3-14 slide. They just signed Bailey Zappe to a reserve/future contract. Zappe isn't the savior, obviously. He's a 90-man roster body. But it shows the level of desperation in the building.
Breece Hall and the Free Agency Exodus
We need to talk about Breece Hall.
He’s the heart of this offense. He hit 1,000 yards in a season where the offensive line was basically a revolving door of practice squad guys. But he’s a free agent. The consensus among insiders like Connor Hughes is that the Jets almost have to use the franchise tag.
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If they let Breece walk, the offense has zero identity.
Then there's the "Keep 'em or Dump 'em" list that's circulating. The Jets have 24 free agents.
- Quincy Williams: Likely gone. The team extended Jamien Sherwood instead, which was a clear signal.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker: This one hurts. He’s elite when healthy, but he’s missed most of the last three seasons. Rumor is they might try a "prove-it" deal with low guarantees.
- John Simpson: He wants to stay, and the line needs continuity. He’s a "keep" for the right price.
Why the No. 2 Pick is a Double-Edged Sword
Having the second pick is great. Usually. But with the QB class looking thinner than expected after the Moore announcement, Darren Mougey (the GM) is in a tight spot.
Do you take a defensive freak like Abdul Carter to pair with the remaining pieces of what used to be a top-tier defense? Or do you reach for a quarterback because the New York media will eat you alive if you don't?
The Jets actually have a "bounty" of picks thanks to the trades of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. They hold the 2, 16, 33, and 44 picks in the 2026 draft. That is an insane amount of draft capital. They have eight picks in the first two rounds over the next two years.
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The Draft Capital Breakdown:
- Pick 2: The "Franchise Pivot" point.
- Pick 16: Acquired from the Colts (The Sauce Trade).
- Pick 33: The first pick of the second round.
- Pick 44: Acquired from the Cowboys (The Quinnen Trade).
It’s a "burn it down" rebuild, whether the front office wants to use that word or not. You don't trade away two All-Pros unless you're starting from scratch.
What to Watch This Week
The next few days are going to be quiet on the field but deafening in the front office. Expect a DC announcement soon. If it’s Wink, expect a more aggressive, veteran-heavy approach to free agency. If it’s a younger guy like Leonhard, they might be leaning into the youth movement.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the Franchise Tag Window: Late February is when we’ll know if Breece Hall is staying or if a holdout is looming.
- Watch the Senior Bowl (Feb 1): With Dante Moore out, the Jets' scouts will be glued to the QB drills to see if anyone else can fill that No. 2 slot.
- Check the DC Hire: The coordinator choice will tell you if Aaron Glenn is actually in charge or if Woody Johnson is picking the staff.
The Jets have the picks to fix this. They just don't have the room for another "once-in-a-century" mistake.