The Jets have built a noticeably different kind of front office rhythm under general manager Mougey. In his first two years running the show in Florham Park, extensions have become part of the routine for players who have earned them, a shift from what came before.
Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner got theirs last summer, then Breece Hall and Joe Tippmann followed this offseason. That track record matters now, because a few Jets are heading into 2026 with a lot riding on what they do next.
For some, the connection is straightforward: production in 2026 could lead directly to a new deal.
Will McDonald IV is one of the clearest examples. The Jets’ 2023 first-round pick is entering a season where the pressure is real, especially with his role expected to shrink because of his struggles against the run.
That leaves him needing to make the most of every pass-rushing chance he gets on third downs and in obvious passing situations. McDonald has two years left on his rookie contract after the Jets picked up his fifth-year option this past summer, but the path to a bigger future still runs through performance.
If he can get back to the kind of impact he had in 2024 and post a double-digit sack season, he can make a strong case to remain a central part of the defense. The Jet Press' Richard Louis pointed to the Seattle Seahawks’ three-year, $42 million deal for edge Derick Hall as the type of contract McDonald could be in position for if he pops in 2026.
Adonai Mitchell brings a different kind of buzz, but the contract stakes are just as obvious. Outside of the incoming rookie class, there may not be a player Jets fans are more excited about heading into the season.
Mitchell showed real promise late in 2025 and is now set to operate as New York’s No. 2 receiving option. He’s entering the third year of his four-year rookie deal, which means an extension would be on the table next offseason.
With the wide receiver market climbing fast, the Jets would have every reason to move quickly if Mitchell establishes himself in 2026. If he proves he’s a legitimate WR2, the Green Bay Packers’ three-year, $50.25 million deal for Jayden Reed, which pays $16.75 million per year, offers a useful reference point.
T'Vondre Sweat is another player with a big year ahead of him. Instead of making a hard call this offseason on Jermaine Johnson, the Jets sent the former first-round edge to the Tennessee Titans and bought themselves more time to sort out the finances by adding Sweat.
The 2024 second-round pick is also on a rookie deal with two years remaining, and the Jets appear to view him as a long-term fixture inside. He’s shown real dominance in stretches, but consistency has been the issue.
Staying healthy and keeping that level going across the full 2026 season would put him in line for a new contract next offseason. A four-year, $72 million deal, using Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keanu Benton as the comparison, would be a reasonable target if Sweat delivers.
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Around the league, Klubnik is one of three rookie quarterbacks serving in backup roles, but the bigger question for the Jets is whether he actually won the job or simply ended up there because of how the roster broke. With the regular season approaching, that uncertainty hangs over a position where the margin for comfort is usually thin and every decision gets scrutinized a little harder. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Defense Suddenly Faces A Bigger Week 1 Concern Than Expected
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The assignment could be a tricky one, too, because Brownlee may end up across from Titans slot receiver WanDale Robinson, who led the league in slot receiving yards last season. Brownlees numbers have been mixed, and the Jets do not have much proven depth waiting behind him, so this is the kind of early test that can quickly ripple through a defense if the coverage structure does not hold up. [Read more 🡒]
Mason Taylor Is Giving The Jets A Tough Week 1 Decision
Mason Taylor has spent training camp doing exactly what the Jets needed from a young tight end: making himself hard to ignore. He caught 17 passes from Geno Smith in team drills, more than any other Jets tight end, and his workload has reflected both his receiving ability and the coaching staffs confidence in his blocking.
His rise has also been helped by Kenyon Sadiq working back from a hernia recovery, which opened more opportunities for Taylor to climb the depth chart. The question now is how much of that camp momentum carries into the regular season, especially with other offensive weapons around Smith and a week-one plan that still has plenty of moving parts. [Read more 🡒]