At 3-11, the Jets have been in evaluation mode for a while now-and with good reason. This season has been a tough one for first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, and as the losses piled up, the focus naturally shifted toward the future. With the offseason fast approaching, big decisions are looming across the roster, starting with the most obvious-and most expensive-one: quarterback.
The Quarterback Dilemma: What Now After the Justin Fields Gamble?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. The Jets went all-in on Justin Fields last offseason, signing him to a two-year, $40 million deal in hopes that a change of scenery would unlock the potential that once made him a first-round pick.
It hasn’t worked. Fields has struggled to find consistency, and the offense never found its rhythm with him under center.
Now, the Jets are staring down the second year of that deal, which includes $10 million guaranteed-money they’ll owe whether Fields is on the roster or not. Cutting bait would be costly, but keeping him around without a clear path forward might be even more damaging.
With the team likely picking near the top of the draft, a rookie quarterback could be in play, and if that’s the direction they go, they’ll need to surround him with support. Which brings us to...
Breece Hall: The Offensive Spark the Jets Can’t Afford to Lose
If there’s been one consistent bright spot on offense this season, it’s been Breece Hall. Despite the team’s overall struggles, Hall has put together a quietly productive year-900 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and another 323 yards and a score through the air. He’s been the engine of an otherwise sputtering offense.
The question now is whether the Jets are ready to commit to him long-term. There was some chatter around the trade deadline that Hall might be moved, but nothing materialized.
With free agency looming, the Jets have a few options. The franchise tag for running backs is projected at $13.6 million-steep, but not out of the question.
A more cap-friendly route could be a three-year deal that spreads out guaranteed money while keeping Hall in green and white.
If the Jets do draft a quarterback this spring, keeping Hall in the fold becomes even more important. A dynamic running back who can catch passes and take pressure off a young signal-caller?
That’s the kind of player you build around. And right now, the Jets don’t have many of those.
Will McDonald IV: Time to Make a Call on the Fifth-Year Option
This was supposed to be a breakout year for Will McDonald IV. After flashing potential with 10.5 sacks last season, expectations were high heading into 2025. Coaches raved about his added size and speed during camp, but the production just hasn’t followed.
Yes, McDonald has seven sacks this year, but the bulk of that came in two games-four in a blowout win over the Browns and two in the opener against Pittsburgh. Outside of that?
Just one sack, and far too many quiet Sundays. Inconsistency has plagued his game, and there have been stretches where he’s barely made an impact.
That puts the Jets in a tough spot with his fifth-year option, which would cost $14.9 million guaranteed in 2027. That’s a hefty price tag for a player who hasn’t shown he can be a reliable force week in and week out.
If they decline the option, McDonald could still be a trade chip-there’s always a market for pass rushers with upside. But if they pick it up and he doesn’t take the next step, they’ll be locked into a big number for a player who hasn't delivered consistently.
Garrett Wilson Needs Help-Who Will Step Up?
Garrett Wilson was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Jets’ passing game. But two knee injuries limited him to just seven games, and it’s unlikely he’ll return before the season ends. That’s a tough blow for a team already thin on offensive weapons.
Looking ahead, Wilson is expected to be ready for 2026-but he can’t do it alone. The Jets need to find another playmaker to take pressure off their star wideout.
Free agency could offer some options, with veterans like Mike Evans and Alec Pierce potentially available. But the real value might come in the draft.
This year’s class is loaded with receiver talent. Names like Makai Lemon (USC), Denzel Boston (Washington), and KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) all bring different skill sets that could complement Wilson nicely.
Depending on how the board falls, the Jets could also look at running back depth later in the draft-especially with Braelon Allen recovering from season-ending surgery. Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton stands out as a dual-threat back who could thrive in a modern offense.
The Search for a Defensive Identity Begins-Again
The Jets' defense, once a calling card for this team, took a major step back in 2025. After three straight seasons as a top-three unit, they now rank 20th in total yards allowed (337.4) and 30th in points allowed (28.4). That’s a steep fall-and it cost defensive coordinator Steve Wilks his job.
Aaron Glenn made the move official on Monday, firing Wilks after back-to-back rough outings against the Dolphins and Jaguars. Chris Harris, the team’s defensive backs coach, will step in as the interim coordinator for the final three games. He’ll get the first shot at earning the job full-time, but the Jets are expected to cast a wide net if they go in another direction.
Potential candidates could include former Jet Jim Leonhard (now with the Broncos), Browns DC Jim Schwartz, and even Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon-if he’s let go in Arizona. Whoever takes over will inherit a unit that still has talent but needs a new identity after a season of regression.
What Comes Next?
With three games left, the Jets are already deep into offseason mode. The decisions they make over the next few months-on Fields, Hall, McDonald, and the coaching staff-will shape the direction of the franchise heading into 2026 and beyond.
There’s no sugarcoating it: this season has been a disappointment. But if the front office hits on a few key moves, there’s still a path forward.
The evaluation period is in full swing. Now it’s time for the Jets to start building something that can actually last.