The New York Jets are staring down a crucial offseason in 2026 - and make no mistake, the stakes are sky-high. Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are heading into a season that could very well determine their futures with the franchise. That urgency is expected to translate into action, especially when free agency opens its doors.
Last offseason, the Jets took a conservative approach in the open market, signing just two players - quarterback Justin Fields and defensive back Brandon Stephens - to multi-year deals. That quiet strategy didn’t move the needle, and with jobs on the line, a repeat performance seems unlikely. This time around, expect the Jets to be far more aggressive.
They’ve got the financial firepower to make it happen. With nearly $75 million in projected cap space following the NFL’s latest salary cap announcement, the Jets are among the league’s top spenders heading into the offseason. And that number could get even larger if the team decides to part ways with a few veterans.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Jets have the flexibility to create even more cap room - potentially up to $30 million - through contract restructures.
That’s the kind of maneuvering that turns a good offseason into a franchise-altering one. Of course, restructures come with a price: pushing money into future years can lead to bloated contracts and cap headaches down the line.
It’s the classic “win now, pay later” scenario.
So, who are the realistic candidates for a restructure?
Let’s start with the obvious - Justin Fields. On paper, restructuring his deal could free up over $15 million in cap space.
But here’s the catch: all signs point to the Jets releasing Fields in the coming weeks. Restructuring a player you’re likely to cut doesn’t make much sense.
It would only delay the financial hit, not eliminate it. So while the numbers look tempting, don’t expect Fields to be part of the cap solution.
That brings us to Brandon Stephens and linebacker Jamien Sherwood - two players who actually make sense for a restructure. Adjusting Stephens’ deal could free up $8.22 million, while Sherwood’s contract could yield another $5.028 million. Both are under contract, both are expected to be part of the 2026 roster, and both offer realistic paths to freeing up space without compromising the long-term health of the cap.
There’s also Garrett Wilson. The star wide receiver signed a monster four-year, $130 million extension last summer.
Restructuring his deal could open up around $1.688 million - not a huge number, but every bit helps if the Jets are looking to maximize their spending power. That said, given the size and structure of Wilson’s contract, it’s a move the team would likely make only if they’re chasing every last dollar.
The bottom line? The Jets don’t need to restructure contracts to make moves this offseason.
With $75 million already available, they’re in a strong position to be players in free agency without mortgaging the future. But if Glenn and Mougey decide to go all-in - if they see 2026 as a make-or-break moment - the tools are there to get even more aggressive.
This is a team with options, flexibility, and motivation. Whether they choose to play it smart or swing for the fences could define not just their season, but the direction of the entire franchise.