Jets OC Search Nears Finish, Woody Johnson’s Influence Looms, and Garrett Nussmeier Turns Heads in Mobile
The Jets wrapped up their third and final offensive coordinator interview last night, and the mystery finalist? None other than Frank Reich.
With all second interviews now in the books, a decision could be coming in the next 24 hours. Reich brings a wealth of experience and a quarterback-friendly mindset - the kind of pairing that could make a lot of sense if the Jets plan to roll with a veteran under center in 2026.
While some fans still dream of a Frank Reich-Greg Roman combo, that scenario feels like a long shot. Still, if the Jets were to pull it off, it would give them something they’ve sorely lacked in recent years: offensive direction and momentum heading into free agency.
Woody Johnson’s Heavy Hand
Ownership involvement is nothing new in the NFL, but this offseason, Woody Johnson’s presence around the Jets has reportedly gone from influential to intrusive.
According to WFAN’s Shaun Morash, newly hired head coach Aaron Glenn believed he had full autonomy to build his coaching staff. That included an agreement with veteran defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. But when Glenn flew down to Florida to get Johnson’s sign-off on the deal, he was met with a hard stop.
Johnson reportedly told Glenn, “I’m paying you $12 million, you’re coaching the defense,” making it clear that Martindale wouldn’t be joining the staff. Glenn had to backtrack and inform Martindale the deal was off - not because of any rift between the two coaches, but because Johnson wouldn’t allow it.
It didn’t stop there. Johnson also reportedly overruled Glenn on other staffing decisions, including the fate of offensive assistant Tanner Engstrand. Glenn, trying to shift blame to the quarterback situation, was reportedly shut down again.
And the internal frustrations may be bubbling over. According to Morash, new Jets executive Darren Mougey has been warning colleagues that “this is not the place you want to work, and Woody Johnson is not the boss you want to have.”
That sentiment appears to be echoed by others. ESPN’s Rich Cimini told Gary Myers on Saturday Huddle that Glenn’s decision to call defensive plays was likely at Johnson’s insistence - not Glenn’s preference.
Breece Hall to the Chiefs?
One of the more intriguing rumors making the rounds: Breece Hall being linked to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hall has been a boom-or-bust runner during his time in New York - capable of ripping off a 60-yard run one play and getting bottled up behind the line the next.
But context matters. Hall’s 2024 season - which saw his lowest yards-per-carry average at 4.2 - was hampered by shaky quarterback play, a predictable offensive scheme, and an underperforming offensive line.
Now imagine Hall in Kansas City. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, a solid O-line in front of him, and Andy Reid calling plays, Hall could be a completely different weapon. It’s a hypothetical for now, but it’s one that makes a lot of sense on paper.
Jets Add Depth Up Front
The Jets made a small but notable roster move, signing defensive tackle Jack Heflin to a reserve/future contract. Heflin, who spent the last two years on the Rams' practice squad, got into one game in 2025 and notched two tackles.
He’s bounced around the league since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2021, with stops in Green Bay, New York (Giants), the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, New Orleans, and most recently Los Angeles. Heflin’s got seven games of NFL experience and seven total tackles - not a game-changer, but a depth piece with a grinder’s mentality.
PFF Mock Draft: Jets Go Edge and WR Early
With the second and 16th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets are sitting on a golden opportunity to reshape their roster. PFF’s latest mock draft has them going bold:
- #2 overall: Rueben Bain, EDGE Bain is PFF’s top edge rusher in this class, and they’re not shy about it.
He posted a 92.4 pass-rush grade against true pass sets in 2025 - elite territory - and added an 86.2 run-defense grade. The Jets have bigger needs, sure, but Bain is the kind of high-ceiling prospect who could anchor a defense for years.
- #16 overall: Jordan Tyson, WR Tyson’s draft stock has fluctuated due to injury concerns, but his tape is first-round caliber.
Some mocks have him going as high as No. 5 overall. If he’s still there at 16, the Jets could pair him with Garrett Wilson to form a lethal receiving duo - and maybe even a trio if AD Mitchell gets involved.
A Glimpse at the Future
Despite the turbulence, the long-term outlook for the Jets isn’t all doom and gloom. After trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the deadline, the Jets now hold two first-round picks in 2026 and three more in 2027.
They also enter this offseason with $66.3 million in cap space - more than enough to make a splash in free agency, especially at quarterback. The current expectation is that the Jets will look for a veteran signal-caller in 2026 before using their 2027 draft haul to find a long-term answer under center.
That’s a lot of draft capital and financial flexibility. If used wisely, it could be the foundation of a long-overdue turnaround.
Nussmeier’s Stock on the Rise
Garrett Nussmeier might be the biggest winner coming out of the Senior Bowl.
The LSU quarterback was widely seen as the most consistent and impressive passer in Mobile, and his performance is forcing scouts to revisit his draft projection. Just a year ago, Nussmeier was a projected first-rounder. But after a bumpy 2025 season, his stock dropped into the third-to-fifth-round range.
Now we know why. Nussmeier played much of the 2025 campaign with an abdominal injury that wasn’t properly diagnosed until two months ago. Both he and Senior Bowl director Drew Fabianich confirmed the misdiagnosis, which sheds new light on his struggles.
Fully healthy, Nussmeier looked sharp, decisive, and accurate - all traits that NFL teams crave in a developmental quarterback. Don’t be surprised if his name starts climbing back up draft boards in the coming weeks.
The Jets are at a crossroads - again. Ownership influence is raising eyebrows, the coaching staff is still taking shape, and the quarterback question looms large. But with two top-20 picks, a war chest of cap space, and a deep draft class, there’s a real opportunity to reset the narrative in 2026.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.