The New York Jets are coming off a 3-14 season, but ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak thinks this group has a chance to look a lot better in 2026. His view is simple: the Jets “are going to be solid this season.”
That may not sound like a playoff declaration, and it probably isn’t. The Jets still face a brutal schedule in Year 2 of the Aaron Glenn era, with games against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
Last season was as ugly as it gets. New York not only finished 3-14, but became the first team in NFL history to go a full season without a defensive interception and to lose five straight games by 23 points or more.
Still, the roster has changed in a major way. The Jets made a strong showing in the 2026 draft, selecting David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., D'Angelo Ponds, Darrell Jackson Jr., Cade Klubnik, Anez Cooper and VJ Payne.
Before that, they added Geno Smith from the Raiders, Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins and T'Vondre Sweat from the Titans. They also brought in Demario Davis and Tim Patrick in free agency.
Solak pointed to that overhaul as the reason for optimism. “But in my heart of hearts, I kind of think the Jets are going to be solid this season,” Solak wrote.
“For starters, they're going to have better turnover luck -- they were dead last in turnover EPA and turnover margin last season. The front office flooded the defensive roster with veteran talent -- including safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rushers Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive tackle David Onyemata.
And perhaps most importantly, the Jets have an objectively strong offensive front. As long as Smith is serviceable and running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson are healthy, they should be a fine, competitive team.”
Smith arrives with plenty of NFL experience, including 22,168 passing yards, 124 passing touchdowns and 89 career interceptions. He went 42-56-0 as a starter and threw 17 interceptions last season. He did look good in his preseason debut last week, though the idea of him truly turning back the clock still seems like a long shot.
The bigger question is what that means for the season as a whole. The Jets may actually be better off with another poor finish and a high pick in the 2027 draft, where Arch Manning or Dante Moore could be in play. But if New York lands near the bottom of the league again, Glenn could be the one paying the price.
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Andrew Vorhees could end up being one of those names if Baltimore decides to move on. The Ravens guard started every game last season, but his performance grade was a concern, and that kind of profile can make him a candidate to be available via trade or a waiver claim. For the Jets, it is the sort of low-cost, low-risk move that can matter a lot when building out the backup side of the offensive line. [Read more 🡒]
Jets May Be Testing Will McDonald In A Risky New Role
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Under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, the Jets are at least exploring a more unusual answer: using McDonald in coverage as an outside linebacker in the new scheme. It is an intriguing way to squeeze more value from his burst and athleticism, but it also comes with obvious risk given his limited experience and tackling concerns, which is why the staff may look for other players to help handle some of those coverage snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Roster Bubble Drama Peaks In Final Tuneup Against Giants
With final cuts looming, the Jets head into Saturdays preseason meeting with the Giants knowing the result will not matter in the standings, but plenty could hang on the way the game is played. The last tuneup usually becomes a sorting exercise, and for New York that means one more look at a few of the most unsettled spots on the roster, from the kicking competition to the depth chart battles that have been simmering through camp.
Bailey Zappe gets another chance to help his case, while rookies David Bailey and Arvell Reese could see meaningful snaps as the coaching staff keeps sorting out who deserves a place on the 53-man roster and who might stick around on the practice squad. The secondary is also worth watching closely, especially with injuries thinning that group, and the fourth quarter should turn into the most revealing stretch of all as fringe players fight for one more week in green and white. [Read more 🡒]