Special teams was supposed to be one of the Jets’ calling cards again in 2026. Instead, four games in, it looks a lot more like a weak spot than a weapon.
That’s a sharp turn from 2025, when Chris Banjo’s group finished No. 1 in the NFL in DVOA and served as one of the few real bright spots in a 3-14 season. The talent and coaching buzz around Banjo were real then, and there was reason to believe the Jets could build on that foundation this year. A quarter of the way into the season, though, the results have fallen off hard.
The overall picture is reflected in the numbers: the Jets’ special teams DVOA sits 23rd at -3.4% through four weeks. That’s not just a dip. It’s a clear drop from elite to ordinary, and in some areas, worse than that.
Jason Sanders has settled in as the kicker after an offseason battle that drew plenty of attention. The Jets eventually signed him from the practice squad to the active roster, and so far he’s been fine. He’s 7-for-8 on field goals, with the lone miss coming from beyond 50 yards, and he’s 5-for-6 on extra points, which is not exactly where you want to be leaving points on the field.
His kickoff work has been solid as well. Sanders is tied for third in the league with five touchbacks, and his average hang time of 3.74 seconds ranks seventh, giving the coverage team a decent chance to get downfield.
His opponents are starting at the 30.4-yard line on average, a figure tied with former Jets kicker Nick Folk and just ahead of another former Jet, Jason Myers, at 30.8. It’s a respectable showing, even if it doesn’t scream difference-maker.
Punting has been more middle-of-the-road. Austin McNamara has two touchbacks on 18 punts, which doesn’t jump off the page either way. His 4.36-second average hang time puts him squarely in the middle of the league, and while he hasn’t been undone by glaring mistakes, he also hasn’t provided the kind of edge that consistently flips field position.
The biggest letdown may be the return game, especially with Kene Nwangwu missing most of the season because of a back injury. Nwangwu, who has five career kick return touchdowns, brings a real threat every time he touches the ball, and the Jets have felt that absence.
Isaiah Williams has taken over most of the kick return work, but his 24.1 yards per return has been pedestrian. He’s been even less effective on punt returns, averaging just 6.8 yards per attempt, one of the league’s worst marks.
The low point came in the rainy Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers, when Williams muffed two punts. He has also been penalized for an illegal fair catch call. For a unit that has been electric for the Jets in the past, this has been a clear step backward.
There have been a few bright moments in coverage, including some nice work from gunner and special teams ace Qwan'Tez Stiggers, but even that has come with baggage. Stiggers has also picked up two penalties, and the Jets have committed six special teams penalties overall. That kind of sloppiness matters, especially when the rest of the operation has been so uneven.
And that’s really the story of the Jets’ special teams so far: not enough impact, too many mistakes, and very little to help the kicker or punter create hidden yards. When this group has shown up on the radar, it has usually been for the wrong reason.
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