Aaron Glenn is already staring at a projection that won’t sit well with him, because ESPN’s long-range outlook for the Jets leaves him out of the payoff.
That’s the uncomfortable part for a coach heading into Year 2 after a 3-14 season. Glenn didn’t inherit a dream setup, and no first-year head coach wants to spend his debut year buried at the bottom of the standings.
Still, the NFL doesn’t hand out patience for free. Win, or the pressure starts creeping in fast.
ESPN’s latest team projections look well beyond the immediate future, and the view of the Jets is mixed. Seth Walder’s bold call for 2027-29 has New York reaching the playoffs in 2027, but not with Glenn on the sideline and not with Geno Smith under center.
Walder’s prediction is that “the Jets will make the playoffs in 2027,” but “with a new coach and new quarterback.”
He also sees the turnaround coming after a rough 2026 season. “After another depressing season in 2026, the Jets will be rewarded with a high pick in this loaded quarterback class,” Walder notes. “The result of that QB alongside a strong offensive line and bevy of intriguing pass catchers will be immediate success.”
There is at least one encouraging sign in the bigger picture: the offense is young. Outside of Smith, New York’s offensive starters average 24.2 years of age, according to the report. That gives the Jets something to work with if this thing is going to finally move in the right direction over the next few years.
In Other News...
Jets Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. Is Giving Fans A Reason To Pause
Isaiah Williams has been one of the more noticeable receivers in Jets training camp, but Omar Cooper Jr. has done enough to keep the conversation going. The rookie has flashed solid play and, just as importantly, a willingness to put in extra work after practice, staying on the field to catch additional passes while the competition at receiver takes shape.
Williams may have the edge for now, but Coopers approach is the kind that can narrow that gap over time. Training camp depth charts are fluid, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role, the combination of steady reps and visible dedication can matter as much as any single highlight. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie D'Angelo Ponds Suddenly Has A Concerning Camp Problem
DAngelo Ponds entered camp with real buzz as a rookie cornerback the Jets expected to watch closely, but the early months of his pro career have been slowed by a calf injury that has kept him out of most of training camp and the preseason opener. For a young defensive back trying to build momentum in a crowded summer competition, every missed practice matters, especially when the team is trying to sort out who can be trusted on the back end.
The encouraging part for New York is that there has been no indication Ponds is headed to injured reserve, so the door remains open for him to get back into the mix before the regular season arrives. Still, the lack of a timetable leaves his status in a frustrating holding pattern, and it has already taken some shine off a player who was once viewed much more favorably in rookie evaluations. [Read more 🡒]