The New York Jets were handed a brutal opening stretch on paper for the 2026 schedule, but a couple of injury developments could soften the blow.
New York opens against the Tennessee Titans, who finished last in the AFC South last season. After that, the Jets run into three straight NFC North opponents: the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. All three had winning records last season, and the Packers and Bears reached the playoffs.
One bit of good news already landed for the Jets in Week 2. Micah Parsons will begin the season on the PUP list, which means he’ll be out when New York faces Green Bay.
Now the Jets may be catching another break in Week 4, when they travel to Chicago.
At Monday’s Bears practice, defensive back Coby Bryant was carted off with a knee injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that the former Seattle Seahawk is expected to miss at minimum two months.
"Bears safety Coby Bryant is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks due to a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture that he suffered at today’s practice, per sources. No surgery is expected to be needed."
That timeline would make Bryant a long shot for the Jets game in Chicago on October 4.
It would be a meaningful absence for the Bears. Bryant arrived in Chicago on a three-year, $40 million deal in free agency after being a key part of Seattle’s championship defense last year. Chicago also lost Nahshon Wright in free agency, leaving the secondary thinner than it would like to be early in the season.
For New York, that opens a door. Geno Smith and the Jets’ passing game should have a chance to attack through the air, especially with Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Kenyon Sadiq in the mix.
There’s still a chance Bryant comes back faster than expected and is available in Week 4. But for now, the Jets have reason to feel better about their trip to Chicago - and a real opportunity to grab their first win against the Bears since 2022.
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Jackson entered camp with the idea that his first year might be more about learning than playing, but injuries can quickly reshape those plans. If the Jets keep dealing with absences up front, his path to a larger role may come faster than expected, giving the rookie a chance to turn a temporary opening into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]