The Jets’ Week 3 trip to Detroit just got a little friendlier for Geno Smith and the passing game.
New York was already staring at a difficult opening stretch on the 2026 schedule, with games against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears all packed into the first four weeks. The Titans come first in Nashville, but the real grind begins after that, with the Packers, Lions and Bears all waiting in a row. Green Bay and Chicago were playoff teams in 2025, and all three NFC North opponents finished that season with winning records.
Still, the Jets may have caught a break in one of those tougher matchups.
When they meet the Lions in Week 3, Detroit will be without two key pieces in its secondary: safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Both are starting the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which automatically rules them out for the first four games. That takes them out of the lineup for the home game against New York and gives Frank Reich a clear spot to attack.
The absence matters because Detroit was already a middle-of-the-pack defense in 2025. Without Branch and Joseph, the job gets even easier for the Jets’ offense.
Branch came off a strong 2025 season, posting a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.6 that ranked 12th among NFL safeties. His value showed up in more than one way, with his work in coverage and against the run both standing out.
Joseph is the bigger ballhawk of the pair. He played only six games last season, but in 2024 he was a first-team All-Pro and picked off nine passes while breaking up 12 more. When healthy, he’s one of the league’s most dangerous interception threats.
There’s also a familiar connection on New York’s sideline. Aaron Glenn worked directly with both players during his time as Detroit’s defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2024.
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