The New York Jets are coming off yet another frustrating season - one marked by inconsistency, a midseason fire sale, and a roster that looked more like a work-in-progress than a contender. First-year head coach Aaron Glenn inherited a tough situation, and after a rocky debut campaign, he’s got a long to-do list heading into 2026. With holes across the defense and an offense still searching for identity, free agency is going to be critical.
Let’s be clear: the Jets aren’t in the same position as teams like the Patriots, who went all-in last offseason and landed big names like Milton Williams and Stefon Diggs to support their rookie sensation, Drake Maye. The Jets don’t have a quarterback of Maye’s caliber - not yet, at least - which means they need to be smart, not flashy.
This free agency period isn’t about headline-grabbing signings. It’s about building a foundation with dependable veterans who can stabilize the locker room and elevate the system.
Here are three players who could quietly make a big difference for Gang Green in 2026.
1. Alex Anzalone - Linebacker, Detroit Lions
This one makes almost too much sense. Anzalone is hitting the open market after five seasons in Detroit, where he became a steady presence in the middle of the defense.
But more importantly, he knows Aaron Glenn’s system inside and out. Glenn coached Anzalone in Detroit, and bringing in a player who can essentially be a coach on the field would be a major win - especially for a defense that struggled to find its footing last year.
Quinnen Williams and Jamien Sherwood both had down years in 2025, and the Jets’ linebacker corps lacked leadership and consistency. Anzalone isn’t just a plug-and-play starter - he’s someone who can help carry Glenn’s message into the locker room and onto the field. With Glenn expected to call defensive plays himself in 2026, having a veteran who understands his scheme and terminology could be the difference between another disappointing season and a defensive turnaround.
Yes, the Jets have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. But counting on a rookie linebacker to lead the defense from Day 1 is a risky bet. This is a spot where experience matters, and Anzalone brings just that.
2. Breece Hall - Running Back, New York Jets
Technically, Hall is already a Jet. But after a failed attempt to trade him to the Chiefs at the deadline, he’s now a free agent - and the Jets can’t afford to let him walk.
Simply put, Hall was the lone bright spot in an otherwise sputtering offense last season. The ground game was one of the few things that actually worked, and letting go of your most productive offensive player would be a step backward.
With Frank Reich now in as offensive coordinator - a late but intriguing hire - the Jets need to give him something to work with. Hall is that something.
Reich has a track record of building balanced offenses, and with the Jets likely targeting a rookie quarterback in the 2027 Draft, having a proven running back in the backfield is essential. A strong run game can be a young QB’s best friend, and Hall has already shown he can carry the load.
Drafted in the second round back in 2022, Hall was part of a class that also produced stars like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. With Gardner now gone via trade, the Jets are at risk of letting an entire draft class slip through their fingers. Retaining Hall would send a message - that they’re serious about building around their young core, not tearing it all down.
3. Tyler Linderbaum - Center, Baltimore Ravens
The offensive line wasn’t the Jets’ biggest issue in 2025, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be better. Enter Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens’ starting center who’s unexpectedly hitting free agency after Baltimore declined his fifth-year option. If he makes it to the open market, the Jets should be ready to make a strong offer.
Linderbaum has been a rock in the middle of Baltimore’s line since being drafted in the first round, and he brings a level of consistency and athleticism that would be a clear upgrade. Josh Myers filled in capably last season after Alijah Vera-Tucker went down in the preseason, but Myers is better suited as a reserve interior lineman - someone who can step in when needed, not anchor the line week in and week out.
Signing Linderbaum would also give the Jets some much-needed flexibility. With Joe Tippmann sliding to guard last year and Myers showing he can play center in a pinch, adding Linderbaum would give them three players with center experience - two of whom can also play guard. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NFL, where offensive line injuries are more a question of when than if.
With Vera-Tucker’s future in East Rutherford uncertain, this move would also help shore up depth and prepare for life after AVT. It’s not just about improving the starting five - it’s about building a unit that can weather the storm over a 17-game season.
Bottom Line:
The Jets don’t need to swing for the fences in free agency. They need to build smart, and these three moves - bringing in Alex Anzalone, re-signing Breece Hall, and signing Tyler Linderbaum - would do exactly that. Each player brings something the Jets desperately need: leadership, stability, and a clear fit within the systems being installed.
Aaron Glenn has a vision for this team. Now it’s time to give him the pieces to bring it to life.