Breaking Down the Jets’ 5 Biggest Offseason Needs After a 3-14 Collapse
After a 3-14 season that saw sweeping changes to the coaching staff, it’s clear the New York Jets are staring down one of the most important offseasons in recent franchise history. Aaron Glenn’s first year at the helm didn’t go as planned - and now, with free agency and the draft looming, the pressure is on to reshape a roster that simply didn’t compete in 2025.
Let’s take a closer look at the five biggest needs the Jets must address to turn the page and start building something sustainable.
5. Safety: A Room in Need of a Reset
The safety position has quietly become one of the Jets’ most persistent weaknesses in recent years. They’ve taken swings on veterans and developmental players alike, but none have solidified themselves as long-term answers.
Last year’s fourth-round pick, Malachi Moore, showed flashes, but it’s clear he can’t carry the group on his own. There’s a significant gap in talent and consistency on the back end of this defense - and that’s a problem in today’s NFL, where safeties are asked to do more than ever in coverage, run support, and disguising looks pre-snap.
Expect the Jets to be active in free agency at this spot. They need a reliable veteran presence and possibly a draft pick to stabilize a position that’s been a revolving door for too long.
4. Wide Receiver: Garrett Wilson Needs Help
Garrett Wilson has all the makings of a true WR1. The problem? Defenses know he’s the only real threat in the Jets’ receiving corps - and they’ve been able to key in on him because of it.
The league’s top passing attacks often feature dynamic duos. Think A.J.
Brown and DeVonta Smith in Philly, or Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Those pairings force defenses to pick their poison.
The Jets don’t have that luxury - and it’s stunting both Wilson’s development and the offense’s overall production.
New York finished dead last in passing yards last season. That stat alone tells you everything you need to know. Whether it’s through the draft or a savvy free-agent signing, the Jets need to find a complementary receiver who can take pressure off Wilson and give their next quarterback more options.
3. Defensive Tackle: A Void in the Middle
Interior defensive line play doesn’t always grab headlines, but it’s often the engine of a great defense. Just ask the Rams during Aaron Donald’s prime, or the Bucs with Vita Vea. Even this year’s Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks, leaned heavily on Leonard Williams to control the trenches.
The Jets used to have that kind of presence in Quinnen Williams. But with the All-Pro now in Dallas, the interior of New York’s defensive line is one of the thinnest in the league. That’s a major issue - especially when you’re trying to stop the run and collapse the pocket from the inside out.
They don’t need just one guy. They need multiple additions here - players who can anchor the line on early downs and still generate pressure on third-and-long. Until they rebuild the middle of their defensive front, the rest of the unit will continue to be stretched thin.
2. Edge Rusher: The Blueprint Is Clear
Look at the last two Super Bowl champions - Seattle and Philadelphia - and one thing stands out: edge dominance.
Both teams got after the quarterback with ruthless efficiency, collapsing pockets and forcing hurried decisions. Seattle kept Drake Maye in check with a relentless four-man rush.
Philly did the same to Mahomes. That kind of pressure changes games - and seasons.
The Jets don’t have that kind of juice off the edge right now. While they’ve invested in the position in recent years, the production hasn’t matched the potential. And in today’s NFL, if you can’t generate pressure with four, you’re in trouble.
Fixing this won’t just help the pass defense - it’ll elevate the entire unit. A true edge threat makes life easier for corners, linebackers, and even the safeties we mentioned earlier. It’s a foundational need.
1. Quarterback: Still the Biggest Question
No surprise here. The Jets’ biggest need - by far - is still at quarterback.
Until this franchise finds a consistent, durable, and dynamic presence under center, they’ll be stuck in the same cycle. In a division featuring Josh Allen and Drake Maye, you can’t afford to be mediocre at the most important position in sports.
They’ve tried short-term fixes. They’ve taken swings in the draft.
Nothing has stuck. Now, with another offseason on deck, the Jets are once again in the market for a quarterback who can lead them out of the basement.
Whether it’s a trade, a draft pick (Ty Simpson, perhaps?), or a surprise move, the Jets need to get this one right. Because until they do, every other roster improvement - no matter how well executed - will be fighting uphill.
Bottom Line:
The Jets have holes to fill, no question.
But they also have a chance to reset the foundation. With a new coaching staff, draft capital, and cap space, the pieces are there.
Now it’s about making the right moves - starting with quarterback - and finally building a team that can compete in a loaded AFC.