As the NFL Combine looms on the horizon, the New York Jets find themselves staring down a pivotal offseason - one that could very well define the futures of head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. With four top-50 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and plenty of cap space to play with, the Jets have both the resources and the urgency to reshape their roster. The pressure is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This is a team that needs answers - fast. Here are five critical questions that will shape the Jets’ offseason strategy as they head into Combine season.
1. Is a quarterback in play early in the draft?
The Jets’ quarterback situation remains murky, and the draft board isn’t offering many clear answers - at least not in 2026. With Trinidad Chambliss reportedly staying in school, Alabama’s Ty Simpson stands out as the lone passer currently projected to go inside the top 75. That’s not exactly a deep pool to dive into if you're hunting for a franchise QB.
So the question becomes: Do the Jets take a swing now, or wait for what’s expected to be a stronger quarterback class next year? Drafting Simpson could mean passing on a potentially more talented group in 2027.
But if Glenn and Mougey believe Simpson has the tools to develop into a long-term starter, the Jets might not want to wait. After all, patience is a luxury this front office may not have.
2. What’s the move at No. 2 overall?
Holding the second pick gives the Jets a prime opportunity to land a blue-chip player, and it looks like they’re zeroing in on edge rushers. The names in the mix: Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., and Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
Each brings something different to the table. Reese is the high-upside athlete with the kind of traits that make scouts salivate.
Bain is a more polished, consistent force - a reliable run defender who can anchor a front. Bailey?
He’s the wiry, bendy sack artist who can cause chaos off the edge.
This pick will say a lot about how Glenn and defensive coordinator Brian Duker want to build their defense. Do they bet on raw talent?
Go with the safe, steady option? Or chase sacks with a specialist who can get after the quarterback from Day 1?
3. Will Breece Hall get the tag?
Breece Hall has been one of the Jets’ few bright spots in recent years, and his future is a big question mark heading into the offseason. The Jets have the option to use either the franchise or transition tag to keep him in green and white - and that might be the smart play if they’re not ready to commit long-term.
But there’s also a philosophical shift happening. Glenn is looking to build his team, and Hall is a holdover from the Robert Saleh era. That doesn’t mean he’s on the way out, but it does raise the question: Is Glenn ready to move on from the past, even if it means letting go of one of the team’s most dynamic offensive weapons?
4. Can the Jets count on Alijah Vera-Tucker?
When healthy, Alijah Vera-Tucker is one of the best guards in football. The problem?
He just hasn’t been healthy. If AVT suits up in 2026, it’ll be his fifth NFL season - and he’s already dealt with three significant injuries in four years.
The Jets have to decide whether they’re willing to roll the dice on his availability. There’s no questioning his talent or what he brings to the offensive line when he’s on the field.
But if he goes down again, it could be another major blow to a unit that’s struggled to stay consistent. Betting on AVT might pay off big - or it might be another setback the team can’t afford.
5. How many former Lions will Glenn bring in?
Aaron Glenn didn’t get many of “his guys” in last year, but that could change this offseason. With Brian Duker now on board as defensive coordinator, the Lions-to-Jets pipeline might start flowing.
Names like linebacker Alex Anzalone and free agent pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad are already being linked to New York. Both players know Glenn’s system and could help accelerate the culture shift he’s trying to implement on defense.
This isn’t just about familiarity - it’s about building trust and identity. Glenn wants to mold this defense in his image, and bringing in players who already speak his language could be a shortcut to making that happen.
The Bottom Line
The Jets aren’t just facing an important offseason - they’re staring down a potential turning point for the entire organization. With draft capital, cap space, and a new coaching staff at the helm, the pieces are there to make a leap. But the decisions made over the next few months will determine whether this team finally starts climbing or stays stuck in neutral.
Glenn and Mougey have the tools. Now they need the answers.