Aaron Glenn’s first roster cutdown day as Jets head coach exposed the same problem that could haunt New York all season: the quarterback looks better, but the pass-catching group still looks thin.
That’s the biggest concern coming out of the 53-man roster decisions ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Geno Smith gives the Jets a clear upgrade over Justin Fields, but there may not be enough around him to turn that upgrade into a dangerous passing game.
Glenn inherited a rough situation after leaving his job as defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions following the 2024 season. New York had gone nowhere in 2025, finishing 3-14 and last in the AFC East, with no playoff appearance since the 2010 season. Glenn is not getting blamed for what happened before he arrived, but the leash won’t be long if the Jets don’t make real progress in 2026.
He made it clear he’s not trying to soften his personality for anybody. “I have an edge, and that’s not going anywhere,” Glenn said, per Jonathan Jones of The Athletic.
“That’s just who I am, but it was one thing I wanted to make sure that I can make guys get to know who I am. As a head coach, learn these things, you nip them in the bud and you move on.”
On paper, Smith should help. He brings the arm strength, touch and accuracy that Fields didn’t consistently provide, and that alone should raise the level of the offense.
Smith has already shown he can run a productive attack, even if last season with the Raiders was uneven. He finished that year with a 19-17 touchdown-to-interception ratio after three strong seasons with the Seahawks.
But the roster around him is the issue.
Garrett Wilson is still the headliner and the player the Jets are paying like a star, at $32 million. He has the chance to be a true No. 1 receiver if he stays healthy, and that’s a big if after he played only 7 games last year. In those games, he caught 36 passes for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Adonai Mitchell is the other receiver who stands out. The Jets acquired him from the Colts last year in a mid-season move, and he brings size at 6-2, 207 pounds along with 4.34 speed. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich is expecting more after Mitchell put up 24 catches for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns in 8 games with New York last season.
After that, the group gets shaky fast.
The Jets kept Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick and Arian Smith, while moving on from younger receivers Malik McClain, Jamaal Pritchett and Quincy Skinner. The choice to keep Smith is understandable from a special teams standpoint, since Glenn values players who can help there, but his offensive production doesn’t justify much confidence. As a rookie, Smith had 7 receptions for 52 yards, and he does not look like someone who is ready to make a major impact as a receiver.
Patrick’s spot is also hard to sell. He can block, but he didn’t do enough during the summer to suggest he’ll be a meaningful part of Reich’s plan.
The backup quarterback situation only adds to the concern. The Jets went with rookie Cade Klubnik behind Smith after Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook failed to separate themselves in camp. Klubnik has size at 6-2 and 207 pounds, but he is still raw, and if he has to play early in the season, New York could be in serious trouble.
That leaves the Jets with one obvious priority: find another quarterback if they can. Whether it comes through a trade or the waiver wire, they may need to move before they get squeezed into a desperate decision later.
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