As the 2025 NFL season fades into the rearview mirror, it’s time to check in on some familiar faces-former Jets offensive players who suited up for NFC teams this past year. From playoff heroes to practice squad stints, the journeys have been varied, and in some cases, pretty surprising. Here's a full breakdown of how these ex-Jets fared and where they stand heading into 2026.
Washington Commanders
Josh Johnson continues to defy the football calendar. The veteran quarterback got the call in two starts for the Commanders, splitting those games with one win.
He threw for a touchdown, ran for another, and completed 63% of his passes while totaling just under 400 yards. The downside?
Two interceptions. Still, for a player who’s played for nearly half the league, Johnson showed he can still step in when needed.
He’s now a free agent.
George Fant, a versatile offensive lineman, made four appearances late in the season, though all of his snaps came on special teams. Like Johnson, he’s also out of contract.
Robbie Chosen saw limited action in three games, catching five passes for 53 yards. He wasn’t retained after the season.
Lawrence Cager, a tight end who’s been bouncing between rosters and practice squads, was elevated for one game and logged a single offensive snap. He’s now signed to a futures deal, giving him another shot to stick in 2026.
Donovan Edwards, a promising young running back, spent time on Washington’s practice squad before being scooped up by Miami. He didn’t see the field this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Israel Abanikanda didn’t get any game action in Dallas, but the Cowboys saw enough to keep him around on a futures deal. The former Jet will get another shot to prove himself in 2026.
Philadelphia Eagles
Xavier Gipson, known for his return skills, had a brief stint with the Eagles, appearing in five games and contributing mostly on special teams. He did manage to haul in two short receptions before landing back with the Giants.
EJ Jenkins, a tight end, was activated for two games, playing exclusively on special teams. He’s now signed to a futures deal.
New York Giants
Greg Van Roten quietly put together another solid year on the Giants’ offensive line, starting every game for the second straight season. He allowed just three sacks and was flagged three times-a steady presence in the trenches. He’s now a free agent.
Xavier Gipson returned to the Giants and made one appearance, again in a special teams role. He remains under contract.
Green Bay Packers
Both Israel Abanikanda and Mecole Hardman landed on the Packers’ practice squad after final cuts, but neither stuck around long. They were released early in the season.
Minnesota Vikings
It was a revolving door of former Jets in Minnesota. Xazavian Valladay, a running back, spent time on the practice squad before being released.
Quarterbacks John Wolford and Brett Rypien also passed through but didn’t see game action. All three are currently out of contract.
Chicago Bears
No former Jets offensive players suited up for the Bears in 2025.
Detroit Lions
Kalif Raymond continued to be a reliable weapon for Detroit, finishing with 289 receiving yards and a touchdown on 24 catches. He also added 19 rushing yards and remains a versatile threat. He’s now a free agent.
Trystan Colon, a depth piece on the offensive line, made 12 appearances and four starts but played fewer than 200 offensive snaps. He’s also entering free agency.
Anthony Firkser joined the Lions late in the year and made the most of his opportunity, starting four of seven games and catching eight passes for 53 yards. He’s now out of contract.
Kenny Yeboah, a tight end who spent time on injured reserve, was eventually released.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dan Feeney stepped into a starting role for the final 10 games of the season. While he gave up four sacks, he was only penalized once-solid numbers for a midseason plug-in. He’s now a pending free agent.
Teddy Bridgewater, who came out of retirement, saw limited action. He completed eight of 15 passes for 62 yards and now finds himself back on the market.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints didn’t roster any former Jets offensive players this season.
Carolina Panthers
Mike White was added to the Panthers’ practice squad and later promoted to the 53-man roster, but he never saw the field. He wasn’t retained after the season.
Atlanta Falcons
Carter Warren, an offensive tackle, spent the entire year on Atlanta’s practice squad. He didn’t play and wasn’t brought back.
Los Angeles Rams
Davante Adams made headlines in L.A., leading the league with 14 touchdown receptions. While he only caught 60 passes for 789 yards-his lowest total since 2015-his red zone dominance was undeniable. Adams remains under contract through 2026.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold delivered when it mattered most. The former Jets quarterback led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title, throwing five touchdowns and zero picks in the postseason.
His regular-season numbers were solid: over 4,000 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and a career-high 68% completion rate. He’s still under contract and has reignited his career in a big way.
Arizona Cardinals
Greg Dortch carved out a meaningful role in Arizona’s offense, starting three games and appearing in 12. He caught 27 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and contributed in the return game.
At running back, Bam Knight and Michael Carter combined for over 1,000 scrimmage yards. Knight made eight starts and found the end zone five times, while Carter added 33 receptions and a touchdown in five starts. Both averaged under four yards per carry.
Kelvin Beachum, a veteran tackle, started 11 games down the stretch. He gave up five sacks and was flagged seven times. All four Cardinals-Dortch, Knight, Carter, and Beachum-are out of contract, though Knight is a restricted free agent.
San Francisco 49ers
Adrian Martinez finally logged his first NFL snap-a kneeldown. It may not sound like much, but it marked a milestone in his journey. He’s now signed to a futures deal.
From Super Bowl glory to quiet practice squad stays, these former Jets made their mark across the NFC in 2025. Some are poised for another shot, while others may be looking for new homes in 2026. Either way, their stories continue to unfold-and we’ll be watching.