The New York Jets are playing the long game - and right now, every loss and every injury around the league matters just as much as what happens on the field at MetLife. With head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey steering the ship, the Jets are clearly building for the future.
This season? It’s all about positioning - and that means securing a top spot in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But the road to a franchise quarterback just got a little bumpier.
The Las Vegas Raiders, one of the Jets’ main rivals in the race for the No. 1 overall pick, are shutting down their top offensive weapon. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, tight end Brock Bowers is headed to injured reserve, ending his season early. And make no mistake - that’s a big deal in the draft chess match the Jets are playing.
Bowers has been a key piece for the Raiders’ offense, and without him, they’re significantly less dangerous. Sure, running back Ashton Jeanty is still in the mix, but the supporting cast isn’t exactly striking fear into opposing defenses. Tre Tucker, Tyler Lockett, Jack Bech, and now Michael Mayer stepping in at tight end - that’s a group that’s going to make things tough for quarterback Geno Smith down the stretch, especially in Week 17.
Why does that matter to the Jets? Because the Raiders - sitting at 2-13 - are neck-and-neck with New York in the race for the top pick. And with just one week left in the regular season, the Raiders’ Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants suddenly carries massive weight.
If the Raiders win that game, they could slide out of the No. 1 spot. That would be a gift for the Jets, who are eyeing top quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza.
The Giants, having drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round just last year, likely won’t be in the market for another quarterback. That opens the door for the Jets to make a move - potentially trading up with the Giants to grab Mendoza and finally lock down their long-term answer under center.
But if the Raiders lose? They’re almost certainly locking in that top pick - and with their own need at quarterback, they’d be in prime position to take Mendoza themselves. That would force the Jets to pivot, and possibly miss out on the one quarterback in this class who’s widely viewed as a true first-round talent.
So yes, Bowers being placed on IR might seem like a footnote on the surface. But for the Jets, it’s a headline. The Raiders are now heading into a critical game without their most dynamic pass-catcher, and that could tilt the scales toward a loss - and toward the No. 1 pick.
Jets fans will be watching that Raiders-Giants matchup closely, and for once, they’ll be rooting for their crosstown rivals to come out on top. A Raiders win keeps the Jets’ draft-day dreams alive.
A loss? It could slam the door shut on their shot at Mendoza.
Week 17 isn’t just about finishing strong - for the Jets, it’s about setting the foundation for the next decade.