After a 3-14 Collapse, the Jets Face a Critical Offseason Loaded With Cap Space and Questions
The New York Jets are no strangers to offseason optimism. But this year? That familiar springtime hope feels noticeably absent in Jets territory.
Coming off a brutal 3-14 campaign, head coach Aaron Glenn is already shaking up the foundation. Only five assistants from last year’s staff are expected to return: Chris Harris (defensive backs/pass game coordinator), Chris Banjo (special teams), Steve Heiden (offensive line), Shawn Jefferson (wide receivers), and Nic McKissic-Luke (running backs).
Everyone else? Gone.
It’s not unusual to see turnover after a season like that. What stands out is just how many roles Glenn is now trying to fill - including offensive coordinator, with Tanner Engstrand out. Names like Frank Reich, Greg Roman, and Darrell Bevell are surfacing as potential replacements, signaling that the Jets are looking for experience and stability on that side of the ball.
After the season-ending loss to Buffalo, Glenn addressed the media with a message aimed at a fanbase that’s been through the wringer.
“There’s got to be trust, there’s got to be faith,” Glenn said. “Just don’t let go of the rope... trust me, have faith in what we’re doing.”
It’s a tough sell right now. Glenn, once a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Jets and a popular hire when he returned to coach the team that drafted him, told fans last year to “put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride.” Few expected that ride to end in a nosedive toward the bottom of the league.
But here’s the thing about rock bottom - there’s nowhere to go but up. And the Jets have the resources to climb quickly if they get this offseason right.
Cap Room to Work With
Thanks to a projected salary cap jump - the NFL expects the 2026 cap to land between $301.2 million and $305.7 million - the Jets are in position to be major players in free agency. Spotrac estimates they’ll have over $82 million in space, fourth-most in the league behind the Titans, Raiders, and Chargers.
That kind of flexibility gives general manager Darren Mougey a chance to address some of the team’s glaring needs: quarterback, wide receiver, and possibly running back.
What Happens With Breece Hall?
Breece Hall’s contract situation looms large. The star running back is set to become a free agent on March 11, when the new league year begins.
The Jets have options: they can franchise tag him between Feb. 17 and March 3, which would lock him in at around $14.5 million for 2026. A transition tag would cost a little less - roughly $11.7 million - but wouldn’t offer the same protection from poaching teams.
Hall has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak offense, and retaining him would give the Jets a proven playmaker in the backfield as they try to rebuild around a new quarterback.
The Quarterback Carousel Continues
Speaking of quarterbacks - it’s back to the drawing board. Justin Fields, who the Jets took a flier on last season, is expected to be released ahead of free agency.
The veteran market isn’t exactly overflowing with elite options, but there are a few names to watch. If Kirk Cousins is released by the Falcons, he could be an intriguing target. Malik Willis, who flashed potential in limited action with the Packers, is another name that’s been floated.
But don’t expect the Jets to stop at a veteran. They’re almost certainly drafting a quarterback in April. With the Raiders likely locked in on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, the Jets - sitting just behind them - could pivot to Alabama’s Ty Simpson or look toward Day 2 or 3 for prospects like Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), or Luke Altmyer (Illinois).
Draft Capital and a GM With Momentum
While Glenn’s first year on the sideline was rough - the Jets were outscored 188-54 over their final five games - GM Darren Mougey showed he can work a roster.
His 2025 draft pick, right tackle Armand Membou, was one of the top rookies in the league. He also pulled off a pair of savvy trades before the season, bringing in Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs to bolster the defense. And while trading away stars like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams midseason was painful, the return of additional draft capital could pay off in the long run.
The Jets now hold four picks in the top 44 of the 2026 NFL Draft. With that kind of ammunition - plus the cap room - they’re positioned to reshape the roster in a big way.
The Bottom Line
It’s fair to say Aaron Glenn has a lot to prove. The goodwill from his homecoming has worn thin, and last season’s collapse left fans searching for reasons to believe. But with money to spend, high-value draft picks, and a front office that’s shown it can make bold moves, the Jets have a real shot to turn things around - fast.
The question now is whether Glenn and Mougey can capitalize on the opportunity. The pieces are there. The pressure is on.
And the clock is ticking.