The New York Jets are heading into a pivotal offseason, and thanks to a significant bump in the NFL’s salary cap, they’ll have the financial firepower to reshape their roster in a big way.
The league informed teams that the 2026 salary cap is expected to land between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team. That’s a jump of at least $22 million from the 2025 cap of $279.2 million-and nearly $100 million more than where things stood just four years ago, back in 2022.
For the Jets, that increase couldn’t come at a better time.
This is a team with one of the leanest rosters in the league, and they’re staring down a long list of needs-quarterback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, edge rusher, linebacker, cornerback, safety, even running back. You name it, they probably need it. But now, they’ve got the cap space to actually do something about it.
Jets’ Cap Space: Among the League’s Best
Depending on which projection you go by, the Jets are currently sitting on somewhere between $74.3 million and $82.7 million in available cap space. Over The Cap has them at $74.3 million (fifth-most in the league), while Spotrac puts them at $82.7 million (fourth-most). Either way, they’re in the top five-and that’s before any roster cuts or restructures.
And yes, more cap room is very much on the table.
If the Jets decide to move on from defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, that’s another $7.5 million freed up. They could also part ways with quarterback Justin Fields post-June 1, which would clear $10 million in 2026 (though it would push $9 million in dead money into 2027). Make both of those moves, and the Jets would be looking at over $90 million in cap space.
That’s a massive war chest for a team that needs to rebuild on multiple fronts.
What This Means for the Jets
This isn’t just about signing a few splashy free agents-though that’s certainly on the table. With this kind of flexibility, the Jets can attack the offseason from every angle. They can chase top-tier talent, add depth across the board, and even take on salary in trades if the right opportunity presents itself.
And let’s be honest: they need to be aggressive. The Jets closed out the 2025 season with a roster that simply didn’t have enough firepower.
Injuries and inconsistency at quarterback didn’t help, but the issues ran deeper than that. They lacked playmakers on offense, struggled to generate consistent pressure on defense, and didn’t have the depth to withstand the grind of a full season.
Now, they’ve got a chance to fix that.
The Bottom Line
The Jets are entering the 2026 offseason with a rare combination of cap space and urgency. The league’s rising salary cap gives them more room to maneuver than they’ve had in years, and the roster holes are too glaring to ignore. Whether it’s finding their quarterback of the future, adding weapons on the outside, or bolstering the trenches, the Jets have the resources to make real, meaningful upgrades.
What they do with it will go a long way in determining whether this franchise can finally turn the corner-or whether another season of unmet potential awaits.