The New York Jets are heading into 2026 with a quarterback bet that says everything about where this roster stands. After years of searching for someone who could actually move the win-loss needle, they’re putting their faith in Geno Smith to rebound from a rough 2025 and connect with a young receiving group that looks far more interesting than the one he had in Las Vegas.
That’s why Smith has been labeled the Jets’ biggest offseason gamble by Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. It’s a fair tag. The Jets aren’t asking him to rewrite the record book, but they are counting on him to be better than what he showed with the Raiders and closer to the version that once earned him a Pro Bowl nod and a playoff run with the Seattle Seahawks.
The setup around him is a big part of the appeal. New York added Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. to a pass-catching room that already includes Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, giving Smith a group with real upside. The offensive line should also be a major step up from what he dealt with in Las Vegas, and that matters because the Jets can’t lean on the same excuses Smith had with the Raiders - poor coaching and too little talent around him.
Still, this is Geno Smith, which means the whole package comes with both upside and baggage. The deep-ball talent is real, and he can pick up an offense quickly. But the ugly plays are part of the deal too, including the interceptions and sacks that can pile up when he holds the ball too long.
For the Jets, even average quarterback play would be a major change of pace. They’ve been through enough misery under center in the Zach Wilson and Justin Fields years that just getting competent production would feel like a breakthrough. And with every projected starter on offense except Smith under contract for 2027, the pressure is clear: the supporting cast is in place, and now it’s on Smith to make it work and help develop the young weapons around him.
In Other News...
Jets Still Have One Defensive Weak Spot They Cannot Ignore
The Jets have spent plenty of time trying to shore up the defense, but one spot still looks vulnerable enough to keep the front office shopping. Linebacker depth has become a real concern, with age and possible regression around the current group pushing New York to at least consider outside help rather than hoping the room sorts itself out on its own.
Several veteran names fit the kind of short-term fix the Jets could use, including Jerome Baker, Matt Milano and Elandon Roberts. Bobby Okereke also belongs on the radar, though he may not be eager to come in as a backup, and Milano brings the kind of upside that always tempts teams even if his availability makes the calculation a tricky one. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Added A Defensive Piece Who Comes With One Big Catch
The Jets kept working to shore up their defensive front by signing former Packers lineman Kingsley Enagbare to a one-year contract, another move aimed at making the run defense sturdier. Enagbare gives New York a familiar kind of depth piece for this stage of the offseason, the sort of player who can fit into a rotation and help the line hold up better against physical opponents.
What makes the signing interesting is the role the Jets appear to have in mind for him. Enagbare is expected to be used more as a dependable run defender than as a consistent pass-rush threat, which means the fit matters as much as the name on the transaction wire. With T'Vondre Sweat, David Onyemata and Darrell Jackson Jr. already in the mix, the Jets are clearly building with a specific need in mind, and the next question is how much pressure Enagbare can actually add when the game plan asks for more than just setting the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Trade Idea Targets A Fix For Their Biggest Defensive Hole
The Jets have spent the offseason trying to patch the middle of their defense, and a new trade proposal points them toward a linebacker who could help stabilize that area without requiring a major investment. SirVocea Dennis has been viewed as an intriguing fit because of his range and upside, and the idea is simple enough: add a young defender who could grow alongside Jamien Sherwood while giving New York another option in a spot that has been a concern.
It is still just a speculative concept, not a confirmed move, but it speaks to where the Jets are right now. They have been active in trying to reshape the roster, and a low-cost deal for a player who might be squeezed out in Tampa Bay would fit the kind of opportunistic approach teams often take when they believe a clear need is staring them in the face. [Read more 🡒]