The New York Jets are headed into the 2026 NFL season with a projection that doesn’t leave much room for optimism: six wins.
That forecast comes with ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini laying out a roster that, in his view, doesn’t have a true carrying strength. “There are no glaring strengths, but one thing the Jets should do reasonably well is run the ball,” Cimini wrote.
“They return four starting linemen and their top three backs from a unit that ranked 10th in rushing yards last season. If Breece Hall delivers another 1,000-yard season, it will reduce the pressure on QB Geno Smith, who leads the league in interceptions (52) and sacks (182) over the past four seasons.
Things will get ugly without a competent run game.
"The team that made history last season with no defensive interceptions has major questions in the secondary -- ironic, considering coach Aaron Glenn was a terrific cornerback in his day. The Jets are counting on former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to galvanize a unit devoid of proven playmakers. Maybe the pass rush, led by prized rookie David Bailey, will be good enough to camouflage the weaknesses on the back end."
That uncertainty hangs over a team that went 3-14 last season and became the first in NFL history to finish a year without a defensive interception while also dropping five straight games by 23 points or more. It was a brutal first season of the Aaron Glenn era, and the numbers reflected just how far the roster had to come.
The Jets did add plenty of new faces to try to turn things around. In the 2026 NFL Draft, they came away with David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., D'Angelo Ponds, Darrell Jackson Jr., Cade Klubnik, Anez Cooper and VJ Payne.
They also made a series of notable moves before the draft, bringing in Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins and T'Vondre Sweat from the Tennessee Titans, while also signing Demario Davis and Tim Patrick in free agency.
Now the question is how much all of that changes the win column. New York would seem better positioned for another rough season if it means a stronger shot at the 2027 draft and a potential swing at Arch Manning or Dante Moore, though another collapse could put Glenn’s job in danger.
Still, the Ohio State product believes the Jets can be playing "meaningful football in December" in 2026.
In Other News...
Jets Rookie Class Faces One Big Test Much Sooner Than Expected
The Jets rookie class has already become a major talking point before the regular season even gets going, with the teams 2026 draft group drawing early projections and role forecasts across the board. David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., DAngelo Ponds, Darrell Jackson Jr., Cade Klubnik, Anez Cooper and VJ Payne all arrive with different paths to playing time, but the common thread is simple enough: this class is expected to be asked to contribute sooner rather than later.
Preseason observations have only sharpened that expectation, since the Jets are trying to sort out how much each newcomer can handle and where the ceiling really sits once the games count. The early evaluations point to a class with real upside, but also one facing a fast-moving test of development, fit and readiness that will tell the team plenty about how much help it can count on from the draft group in the upcoming season. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Offense Has One 2026 Concern Fans Cant Ignore
The Jets head into 2026 with a lot of the pieces an offense wants in place. Breece Hall is back in the backfield, Garrett Wilson remains the top target, Geno Smith is set to run the show, and two first-round rookies, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., add more upside to a group that should have no shortage of options.
The concern sits up front, where Pro Football Focus slots New Yorks offensive line 21st heading into the season. Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu give the unit a strong tackle foundation, and Dylan Parham was added at left guard, but the interior remains the part that could decide how far this offense can go. If the guards and center stabilize, the Jets can feel a lot better about the whole picture. [Read more 🡒]
Jets QB2 Decision Reveals A Bigger Risk Than Fans Wanted
The Jets backup quarterback plan is already telling you something about how they want to build this roster. Instead of leaning on a veteran with a long track record, theyve opted to keep rookie Cade Klubnik in the QB2 role, a move that points straight toward development over comfort. Its the kind of decision teams make when they believe the upside of growing a young passer outweighs the security blanket of a more established hand.
Theres also a broader league reality baked into it, because reliable backup quarterbacks are hard to find and even harder to keep. The Jets know the risk that comes with asking a rookie to be one snap away from the field, and theyre clearly willing to live with that in the name of roster construction. Whether that gamble looks smart or reckless will depend on what happens if the depth chart is ever tested, which is exactly why the choice feels bigger than a simple QB2 call. [Read more 🡒]