The New York Jets are heading into the offseason with a war chest-upward of $120 million in cap space-and a clear mandate to upgrade the roster. After a relatively quiet first offseason under general manager Darren Mougey, the expectation is that the Jets will be far more aggressive this time around.
But as every GM knows, having money to spend is only half the battle. The other half?
Making sure there are players worth spending it on.
That’s where things just got a little trickier.
One of the Jets' presumed top targets, defensive tackle Travis Jones, is officially staying put in Baltimore. The Ravens locked up the 26-year-old with a three-year, $40.5 million extension, taking one of the most promising young interior defenders off the free-agent board before the market even opened. For the Jets, that’s a tough blow-because Jones checked a lot of boxes.
A third-round pick in the 2022 draft, Jones has grown into a quietly dominant force on the Ravens’ defensive front. Over the past two seasons, he’s been a full-time starter and a key cog in the middle of a defense that’s consistently ranked among the league’s best. He’s posted three straight seasons with a Pro Football Focus grade north of 70.0, and this year, he’s taken his game to another level.
Through 12 starts, Jones has racked up 27 pressures and 21 run stops, with a career-best 74.5 PFF grade. He’s been disruptive in the backfield, reliable against the run, and efficient as a tackler-missing just 5.7% of his attempts. Add in two sacks and a forced fumble, and it’s clear why teams like the Jets had him circled on their offseason wish lists.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for New York. After trading away Quinnen Williams at the deadline, the Jets are in clear need of reinforcements along the defensive line.
And while they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the play of Harrison Phillips and rookie Jowon Briggs in 2025-both of whom have outperformed expectations-the depth behind them is razor-thin. Neither Phillips nor Briggs is necessarily a long-term anchor, and the Jets likely view both as better rotational pieces than full-time starters.
Jones, on the other hand, would have represented a true foundational piece. Younger, more explosive, and still ascending, he would’ve been a natural successor to Phillips, whose contract expires after the 2026 season.
In fact, the Jets could even move on from Phillips this offseason with no dead cap hit, opening the door for a smoother transition had Jones been available. But that scenario is now off the table.
There’s a silver lining some fans might cling to: Baltimore’s decision to extend Jones could make it harder for them to re-sign other key players, like Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. If Linderbaum were to hit the open market, he’d instantly become one of the most coveted free agents available-and a perfect fit for a Jets team still trying to stabilize its offensive line. But that’s a big “if,” and for now, it’s nothing more than a hypothetical.
What’s certain is this: the Jets still have a glaring need on the interior defensive line, and one of their best potential solutions is no longer an option. With free agency looming, Mougey and his staff will need to pivot-and fast.
The money is there. The need is clear.
Now it’s about finding the right players to fill the gaps. And as the Travis Jones situation reminds us, that’s often easier said than done.