The New York Jets are winning games - and that’s stirring up a familiar debate among fans. Is it better to stack wins late in a lost season, or would the franchise be better off improving its draft position?
It’s a fair question, especially for a team that’s been stuck in neutral for years. But let’s be real: no player in that locker room is suiting up on Sunday thinking about draft picks.
That’s just not how the NFL works.
The idea of “tanking” might make sense from a front-office or fan perspective, but for the guys on the field - many of whom are playing for jobs, contracts, or just pride - losing on purpose isn’t in the DNA. In fact, for some, the thought of the team landing a high draft pick might actually be more threatening than helpful. After all, those picks could be used to replace them.
What’s happening with the Jets right now isn’t about draft strategy - it’s about culture-building. And that starts with head coach Aaron Glenn, who’s in his first season at the helm.
These wins aren’t meaningless. They’re foundational.
Glenn is trying to establish something that’s been missing in Florham Park for a long time: belief. Belief that this team, this franchise, can actually win.
This isn’t the same as when Adam Gase pulled off surprise wins over the Rams and Browns late in 2020, or when Jeff Ulbrich closed out last season with a win as interim head coach. Those were dead-end games at the end of coaching tenures that were already over.
There was no long-term vision, no program being built. Just a few final flashes before the lights went out.
With Glenn, it’s different. He’s not just trying to survive the season - he’s laying the groundwork for something bigger. And the front office is backing him up.
The Jets made that clear at the trade deadline, when GM Darren Mougey dealt away cornerstone defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Those are two of the most talented players on the roster, and moving them wasn’t about giving up - it was about reloading. In return, the Jets secured a haul of draft picks, giving Glenn and the front office the kind of flexibility that can reshape a franchise.
That’s the key context here. These wins aren’t happening in a vacuum.
They’re happening after the Jets made bold moves to reset the roster and stockpile assets. That’s not the behavior of a team clinging to a false sense of competitiveness.
It’s the behavior of a team with a plan.
And now, with extra draft capital and a coach who seems to be connecting with his players, the Jets are in position to go find their quarterback - the guy who can finally stabilize this franchise under center. That’s been the missing piece for years, and now they’ve got the ammunition to go get him.
So while some fans might be frustrated that the wins are pushing the Jets down the draft board, there’s a bigger picture here. Glenn is teaching this team how to win. And the front office is giving him the tools to build something sustainable.
It’s not about tanking. It’s about turning the page - and maybe, just maybe, writing a new chapter for the Jets.