As the calendar turns toward 2026, the New York Jets find themselves staring down the end of another frustrating season-one that started with hope and ended with more questions than answers. With a new year on the horizon, it’s time to talk resolutions.
Not the “eat healthier” kind, but the kind that could help shift this franchise from perennial disappointment to real contender. Let’s break down what needs to happen across the organization-from ownership to rookies-if the Jets want to stop watching the playoffs from home.
Woody Johnson: Let Football People Do Football Things
For the Jets’ owner, the resolution is simple in theory, tough in practice: resist the urge to meddle. The best organizations in the NFL are the ones where ownership sets the vision and then lets the football minds execute it. Johnson needs to trust the team he’s hired to build a winner-and maybe hold off on raising ticket prices until the Jets actually post a winning record.
Darren Mougey: Find The Quarterback
The Jets’ new GM has one mission: get the quarterback right. Period.
Whether it means trading picks, players, or making a bold move in the draft, Mougey’s top priority has to be finding a long-term solution under center. Jets fans have seen enough of seasons that are effectively over by Halloween.
That has to change.
Aaron Glenn: Build a Defense That Delivers-and Take a Deep Breath
As head coach, Glenn has the pedigree-mentored by Bill Parcells, Sean Payton, and Dan Campbell-but now it’s about results. His defense has to do more than just hit hard; it needs to take the ball away. And while passion is part of his DNA, keeping his cool with the media wouldn’t hurt either.
Tanner Engstrand: Light Up the Scoreboard
The Jets’ offense has been stuck in neutral far too often. Engstrand’s challenge is to build a system that distributes the ball, creates mismatches, and-most importantly-puts points on the board.
Other teams do it. It's time the Jets joined them.
Chris Banjo: Keep the Special Teams Rolling
Banjo’s unit has been one of the few bright spots. The goal for 2026? Run it back with the same core and keep the consistency going.
Player Resolutions: Turning the Page
Justin Fields: A fresh start could be just what he needs. The resolution? Let it rip downfield, rediscover the confidence, and play with the freedom that made him a top prospect.
Tyrod Taylor: Compete for a job on a more stable team and stay healthy. He’s still got value as a veteran presence.
Brady Cook: Use this experience as a building block. Staying in the league means learning, growing, and adjusting.
Breece Hall: One of the Jets’ few offensive stars, Hall is eyeing a big contract-and he’s earned it. He wants to be more involved in the passing game and hit that elite dual-threat tier. But more than anything, he wants to win.
Garrett Wilson: Still the team’s leading receiver despite missing significant time. The goal is to get healthy and return as the dynamic threat this offense desperately needs.
Adonai Mitchell: The rookie has shown flashes, but the drops-especially near the end zone-have been costly. Cleaning that up and becoming a reliable No. 2 target is the next step.
Jeremy Ruckert: More targets, more impact. Also, more Islanders games-because why not?
Alijah Vera-Tucker: Health has been the issue. If he can stay on the field, he has Pro Bowl talent.
John Simpson: Fewer personal fouls. Simple, but crucial.
Armand Membou & Olu Fashanu: The vision is clear-bookend tackles for the next decade. If they can grow together, the Jets may finally have the line they’ve been searching for.
Will McDonald: He’s already shown a knack for blocking kicks. The next step? Becoming a consistent game-wrecker off the edge.
Jermaine Johnson: The Jets need him to be more than just solid-they need him to be a difference-maker in the pass rush.
Jamien Sherwood: He’s racked up tackles, but the impact plays have been few and far between. After signing a big extension, the expectation is for more.
Quincy Williams: He’s due for a payday-and wants it to come from a team that’s ready to win now.
Brandon Stephens, Malachi Moore, Azareye’h Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee: The theme here is turnovers. Each of these defensive backs is still looking for their first interception. If the Jets want to be a takeaway team, that has to change.
Jarvis Brownlee (again): Also needs to cut down on penalties. Discipline matters, especially in the secondary.
Isaiah Williams: Two punt return touchdowns (and nearly a third) have made him a spark plug. But he’s not satisfied. He wants to be the best returner in the game-and he’s got the mindset to chase it.
Austin McNamara: Quietly one of the most effective punters in the league. His ability to flip the field has been a weapon.
Nick Folk: The dream? Kick the field goal that ends the Jets’ playoff drought. That would be a storybook moment for a veteran who’s seen it all.
Chasing 1,000: Breece Hall’s Milestone Within Reach
Breece Hall needs just 46 yards to become the first Jet since Chris Ivory in 2015 to hit 1,000 rushing yards. He came painfully close last year-falling six yards short due to a sideline miscalculation-but this season, despite the offensive struggles, he’s on the doorstep.
It hasn’t been easy. Over the last six games, Hall’s averaged just 48.3 rushing yards on 3.2 yards per carry.
With Garrett Wilson sidelined and no other proven receiving threats, defenses have loaded the box. Since rookie Brady Cook took over at quarterback, it’s been even tougher-Hall has just 120 yards on 2.9 yards per carry over those three starts.
As head coach Aaron Glenn put it: “When you have a rookie quarterback that's in there, you're going to do everything you can to try to stop the run and force him to try and throw it.”
Still, Hall’s within striking distance. And if he gets there, it’ll be a small but meaningful win for a team that hasn’t had many.
Isaiah Williams: From Released to Recognized
It’s been a wild ride for Isaiah Williams. After a rough Week 4-where he fumbled a kickoff and fair-caught a punt at the 3-yard line-he was released.
A week later, he was back. Now, he’s the Jets’ main returner and a second alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl.
Tennessee’s Chimere Dike got the nod, but Williams isn’t sulking. He’s using it as motivation.
“Given how the season’s been going, the ups and downs, it’s a blessing,” Williams said. “Honestly, I'm not content with it. I'm happy and grateful for that, but there’s more.”
That mindset is exactly what the Jets need more of.
Sherwood’s Leap-and His Learning Curve
Jamien Sherwood pulled off a highlight-reel play last week, leaping over the line to stop Taysom Hill on a fourth-and-1. It was a move he picked up watching C.J. Mosley, and it worked.
“Luckily, I was able to time up the snap good enough and made the play,” Sherwood said.
But despite the big moment and a team-leading 140 tackles, Sherwood knows he hasn’t made the impact he wanted after signing a three-year, $45 million extension.
“My season didn't go the way I would have wanted it to,” he admitted. “In certain areas, I feel like I definitely need to be way better than I was.”
Chasing 400: A Passing Game in Peril
Here’s a stat that says everything about the Jets’ passing woes: No player on the roster has 400 receiving yards this season.
The team’s leader? Garrett Wilson with 395-and he hasn’t caught a pass since October 12. Tight end Mason Taylor is next at 369, followed by Breece Hall at 332.
If no one reaches 400, it’ll mark the lowest total to lead the team in a season since David Knight’s 403 yards in 1976. That was a 14-game season. This is a 17-game league now.
It’s not just a stat-it’s a red flag. And it underscores just how much work there is to do on offense heading into 2026.
The Jets have their resolutions. Now comes the hard part-keeping them.