Jets’ Offseason: Youth, Experience, and a Roster That Needs More Than Just a Quarterback Fix
Let’s be honest-when it comes to the Jets, the quarterback conversation has dominated headlines all season long. But if the playoffs have taught us anything, it’s this: even the best quarterbacks can’t carry a team on their own.
You need the right pieces around them. And right now, the Jets are missing more than just a steady hand under center.
This offseason, the Jets are staring down a pivotal moment in their rebuild. It’s not just about who’s throwing the football-it’s about who’s protecting him, who’s catching it, and who’s keeping the other team from scoring. And that’s where a name like Alex Anzalone starts to make a lot of sense.
Alex Anzalone: A Veteran Presence the Jets Could Use
Anzalone has recently been linked to the Jets, and it’s not hard to see why. He brings experience, leadership, and a physical style of play that this young roster desperately needs.
The Jets went into the 2025 season with one of the youngest teams in the league-only the Eagles and Packers had fewer players aged 29 or older on their final 53-man roster. New York had just seven players in that age bracket, and it showed.
The Jets led the NFL in rookie snaps last season. That’s great for long-term development, but in the short term?
It’s a recipe for growing pains. A 4-13 finish wasn’t just about talent-it was about poise, execution, and knowing how to win.
Anzalone could help change that, bringing a veteran edge to a defense that needs more than raw energy.
PFF’s Top 250 Free Agents: Jets Well-Represented
Pro Football Focus just dropped their top 250 free agents list, and several Jets are featured-some higher than you might expect.
- #9 - Breece Hall: Hall continues to prove he’s one of the league’s most dynamic backs. Two of the last three seasons have seen him post PFF grades north of 80.0, and in 2025, he ranked eighth among all running backs with an 83.5. He’ll only be 25 when the 2026 season kicks off, and he’s already established himself as a top-10 player at the position.
- #37 - Alijah Vera-Tucker (AVT): The injury bug has been cruel to AVT. A torn triceps ended his 2025 season before it even began, marking his third season-ending injury in as many years.
But when he’s on the field, he’s a difference-maker. He’s posted 70.0+ PFF grades in three straight seasons and allowed just a 2.8% pressure rate in 2024-fourth-best among all guards.
Further down the list, we find:
- #90 - Andre Cisco
- #132 - John Simpson
- #137 - Quincy Williams
- #143 - Khalil Herbert
- #150 - Tyrod Taylor
- #224 - Tyler Johnson
- #234 - Tony Adams
The takeaway? The Jets have talent.
They’ve got foundational pieces. But they also have decisions to make-especially with players like AVT and Hall, who are cornerstones when healthy.
Mock Draft Watch: Jets Addressing Both Sides of the Ball
Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft has the Jets making moves on both offense and defense, and the picks are intriguing.
- #2 - Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State: With top QB prospect Moore off the board, the Jets go defense. Reese is a versatile weapon who played a hybrid role for the Buckeyes-spying, setting the edge, and occasionally unleashing havoc as a pass rusher.
He’s fast, violent, and disruptive. The kind of player who can change the tone of a defense.
- #16 - Makai Lemon, WR, USC: Lemon isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but he runs crisp routes and catches everything. He’s got that Amon-Ra St.
Brown vibe-productive, reliable, and always in the right spot. If the Jets believe he can bring that kind of consistency, this pick makes a lot of sense.
Coaching Carousel: Still Spinning
The Jets’ coaching search continues to evolve. Of the eight known candidates interviewed for the head coaching job, only five are still in the mix:
- Ephraim Banda
- Demarcus Covington
- Chris Harris
- Jim Leonhard
- Wink Martindale
While Martindale has been viewed as a top contender, the situation remains fluid. According to sources, Aaron Glenn is still working through how he wants to structure his staff, and multiple candidates remain under consideration. So while Martindale may be a strong option, he’s far from a lock.
Meanwhile, Aaron Whitecotton has reunited with Robert Saleh in Tennessee, rejoining his old staff.
The Bigger Picture: Experience Matters
The Jets are young-maybe too young. There’s a lot of promise on this roster, but promise doesn’t win games.
Experience does. Leadership does.
Execution does.
This offseason, the Jets have a chance to add the kind of steady, veteran presence that can help stabilize a talented but inconsistent roster. Whether it’s a linebacker like Anzalone, a healthy return for AVT, or smart draft picks like Reese and Lemon, the pieces are there.
Now it’s about putting them together. Because if the Jets want to stop watching the Super Bowl from home, it’s going to take more than just a quarterback. It’s going to take a team.