Jets Enter Offseason With Big Questions, Bigger Opportunities
Another tough season is in the books for the New York Jets, and with it comes a familiar feeling: the long wait for September, filled with speculation, hope, and a whole lot of "what ifs." For Jets fans, it's not just about licking the wounds of a three-win season - it's about trying to believe that next year could be different. And honestly, when you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to look is up.
The good news? The Jets have some real tools at their disposal.
They’re sitting on the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft, and they’ve already stockpiled first-rounders for 2027. That gives the front office some flexibility - whether that means drafting a franchise quarterback, trading down for more assets, or making a splash elsewhere.
Either way, movement is coming. And that extends to the coaching staff, too.
With the team still searching for a permanent replacement for Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator, there’s an opportunity to reset the tone on that side of the ball.
Expectations Were Low - But Not That Low
Let’s rewind a bit. No one was penciling the Jets into Super Bowl LX.
But even with modest expectations, they still fell short. The sportsbooks had them pegged at 6.5 wins - a number that felt realistic, even optimistic, after a 5-12 campaign in 2024.
NFL.com’s preseason projections gave them a floor of 5.3 wins and a ceiling of eight. But by midseason, even that “floor” looked like a stretch.
The Jets never found their footing, and the season spiraled into another frustrating chapter.
Still, the NFL has a funny way of flipping the script. Just ask the Patriots, who went from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3, or the Jaguars, who turned a 4-13 season into a 13-4 resurgence.
Those turnarounds don’t happen by accident - they happen when front offices get aggressive, coaching staffs get creative, and players buy in. The Jets have a chance to be that next team.
But it’s going to take more than a draft pick to get there.
Quarterback Is the Headline - But Not the Whole Story
Let’s talk quarterbacks. It’s the most important position in football, and it’s the one the Jets absolutely have to get right.
But here’s the catch: this year’s draft class isn’t exactly overflowing with elite QB talent. Fernando Mendoza is the clear favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders - and he looks like the most NFL-ready option on the board.
But with Donta Moore heading back to college, the depth behind Mendoza is thin. Really thin.
That puts the Jets in a tricky spot. They could take a swing at a developmental QB early, but if Mendoza’s off the board, there’s no slam-dunk prospect waiting in the wings.
That’s where the veteran market comes in. Names like Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are already floating around as potential targets.
Neither is a long-term solution, but both could give the Jets a bridge - someone to hold down the fort while a young quarterback learns the ropes. It’s not a perfect plan, but it might be the best one available.
Fixing the Jets Means Fixing Everything
That said, quarterback isn’t the only issue. Far from it.
The Jets gave up over 500 points this season - a staggering number that speaks to a defense that was both overmatched and undermanned. Injuries and midseason departures gutted the unit, and by the end of the year, it was hard to recognize what was once a promising group.
On offense, the story wasn’t much better. The Jets averaged just 17.6 points per game, and struggled to find any rhythm or identity.
Whether it was poor protection, inconsistent quarterback play, or a lack of explosive weapons, the offense never clicked. Fixing that will require more than just a new QB - it’ll take a full offensive overhaul, from the line to the skill positions to the play-calling.
Looking Ahead: A Long Road, But a Clear One
So, where does that leave us heading into the 2026 offseason? Honestly, in a place that’s both frustrating and full of possibility.
The Jets have a high draft pick, cap space, and a chance to retool their staff. They also have a fanbase that’s desperate for something to believe in.
A turnaround isn’t impossible - we’ve seen it happen before. But it’s going to take smart decisions, bold moves, and a little bit of luck.
Come September, we’ll have a clearer picture of what this team can be. For now, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is on.