The New York Jets just wrapped up a 2025 season that most fans would prefer to scrub from their memory banks like a bad browser history. A 3-14 record. Last place in the AFC East. Again. If you’re asking who do the jets play next, the short answer is: nobody for a while. Their season ended on January 4, 2026, with a thumping 35-8 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Because they missed the playoffs entirely, the "next" game won't happen until the 2026 preseason in August. However, the NFL has already locked in the specific opponents for the 2026 regular season. If you thought last year was a gauntlet, the upcoming slate looks like a specialized torture chamber designed by a committee of division rivals.
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The 2026 Opponent Reveal
While we don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops the full calendar with the TV times in mid-May—we know exactly which jerseys will be lining up across from the Green and White.
The rotation is fixed. Since the Jets finished fourth in their division, they get a "last-place schedule," but in the modern NFL, that’s a bit of a myth. They still have to play the AFC East twice. That means home and away dates with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots.
Beyond the divisional grind, the 2026 rotation pits the AFC East against the AFC West and the NFC North.
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Home Games at MetLife Stadium
- Buffalo Bills: Expect the usual Orchard Park invasion.
- Miami Dolphins: Hopefully, it’s not a December freeze that keeps the Fins' speed in check.
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye looked like the real deal in 2025; this isn't the easy win it used to be.
- Denver Broncos: This is the seventh straight year these two have played. It’s becoming a weird, forced rivalry.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders haven't visited East Rutherford since 2020.
- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love coming to town is a marquee ticket.
- Minnesota Vikings: A chance to see J.J. McCarthy in person.
- Cleveland Browns: This was one of the Jets' few wins in 2025, a gritty 27-20 victory.
Road Trips on the Horizon
- Buffalo Bills: Highmark Stadium is never kind.
- Miami Dolphins: Prepare for the humidity.
- New England Patriots: Gillette Stadium remains a house of horrors for the Jets.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Yeah, they have to go to Arrowhead. Good luck with that.
- Los Angeles Chargers: A long flight to SoFi to face Justin Herbert.
- Chicago Bears: Soldier Field in the wind.
- Detroit Lions: Ford Field is arguably the loudest dome in the league right now.
- Tennessee Titans: A "formula" game based on their 2025 standings.
- Arizona Cardinals: Another long-distance trek to the desert.
Why the 2026 Schedule is Terrifying
Let’s be real. If you're a Jets fan looking for who do the jets play next, you're looking for hope. But the math is grim. In 2026, the Jets are scheduled to play six different teams that made the 2025-26 playoffs.
The AFC West is a nightmare. Going to Kansas City is essentially a scheduled loss for 90% of the league. Then you have the NFC North, which might be the most competitive division in football. Facing the Lions and Packers in the same year is a tall order for a roster that struggled to find the end zone last season.
Honestly, the biggest story for the 2026 season isn't just the opponents—it's the leadership. The Jets are entering this cycle with a brand new head coach and GM Darren Mougey. They’ve already started making moves, signing Bailey Zappe to a futures deal and eyeing the draft for a franchise savior. Whether it’s Shedeur Sanders or another prospect, the person under center is going to have to survive a schedule that features elite pass rushers like Micah Parsons (now with Green Bay) and the relentless fronts in Detroit.
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Addressing the January 2026 Playoff Void
It’s worth noting that while the Jets are sitting at home, the rest of the AFC is currently beating each other up. If you're looking for football right now in January 2026, you're watching the Divisional Round.
The Bills just played the Broncos on January 17, and the Patriots are hosting the Texans. It’s a bitter pill for Jets fans to swallow, seeing three teams from their own conference still alive while the Jets are already scouting for the Combine. The gap between the Jets and the top of the AFC East feels like a canyon right now.
What to Watch During the Offseason
Since the "next" game is months away, the real competition is in the front office.
- The Draft Order: The Jets’ 3-14 finish puts them in a prime position for a top-three pick. They need a quarterback. Period.
- Free Agency: With a new GM, expect a purge of the old roster. They need offensive line help more than anything else.
- The May Schedule Release: This is when we find out if the Jets are relegated to 1:00 PM Sunday slots forever or if the NFL still thinks they are "NY Market" enough for a Monday Night Football appearance.
The answer to who do the jets play next is technically "the draft board." But for those planning their 2026 travel, keep an eye on those road games in LA and Arizona. They might be the only highlights in what looks like another rebuilding year.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL Draft order to see exactly where the Jets land in the top five.
- Monitor the coaching staff announcements, as the team fills out the coordinators under the new regime.
- Wait for the mid-May schedule release to see the specific dates for the 2026 opponents.