The New York Jets are no strangers to offseason frustration, and this year’s version feels all too familiar. Jets fans hoping for a shakeup in the wake of a 3-14 season were met instead with continuity - Woody Johnson decided to stay the course, keeping the current coaching staff and front office intact. Meanwhile, just across town, the Giants made a headline-grabbing move of their own, hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach - a move that’s already being praised across the league.
For Jets fans, it’s a gut punch. Watching a struggling rival land a proven winner while their own team stands pat is tough to stomach.
Especially when that rival is the Giants - and especially when Harbaugh is the kind of coach who instantly brings credibility and direction. But while it’s easy to feel like the Jets are falling behind, there’s more to this picture than meets the eye.
The Quarterback Question - Again
Let’s start with the most important position in football: quarterback. It’s the single biggest reason why the Giants’ job was so appealing to a coach like Harbaugh.
Rookie Jaxson Dart showed enough on tape - even going back to his Ole Miss days - to suggest there’s something to build on. Pair that with a dynamic young wideout in Malik Nabers and a defensive front that can get after it, and you’ve got a foundation that makes sense for a coach looking to win now.
The Jets, for all their flaws, have talent too. Garrett Wilson is a bona fide No. 1 receiver.
The offensive line, when healthy, has the makings of a top-tier unit. And with five first-round picks over the next two drafts, the front office has ammunition to reshape the roster quickly.
But there’s one glaring issue: the quarterback situation remains murky at best.
Until that’s resolved, the Jets job is a harder sell for any top coaching candidate - even one with Harbaugh’s pedigree.
Glenn vs. Harbaugh - A Tale of Two Philosophies
On the surface, there are some interesting parallels between Harbaugh and current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Neither is a play-caller.
Both are culture-first leaders who emphasize building a strong locker room and long-term foundation. But that’s where the similarities end.
Harbaugh’s defining trait as a coach has always been his adaptability. In 2018, he made the bold decision to reshape Baltimore’s offense around Lamar Jackson, embracing a zone-read, RPO-heavy attack that played to his quarterback’s strengths. That move didn’t just save a season - it extended Harbaugh’s tenure in Baltimore and kept the Ravens relevant in a changing league.
That kind of flexibility is what separates the good coaches from the great ones. Glenn, to this point, hasn’t shown the same ability to pivot. And while Harbaugh brings in a seasoned offensive coordinator in Todd Monken, Glenn has surrounded himself with a less experienced staff - a gamble that hasn’t paid off so far.
Why Jets Fans Shouldn’t Panic
It’s fair for Jets fans to be frustrated. Watching the Giants make a splashy hire while your team runs it back after a three-win season is tough. But it’s not time to hit the panic button just yet.
The reality is, a coach like Harbaugh probably wasn’t coming to the Jets in their current state. Not without a young quarterback to mold.
Not without a clearer offensive identity. That’s not a knock on the organization - it’s just how the coaching carousel works.
Coaches with options want to walk into a situation where they can win quickly. Right now, the Giants offer that.
The Jets don’t - at least not yet.
But that could change fast. The 2026 NFL Draft class includes several intriguing quarterback prospects.
If the Jets can find their guy in April and give him the right support system, the entire perception of the job - and the franchise - shifts. Suddenly, the Jets become a team on the rise, not a team stuck in neutral.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the Giants got their guy. Yes, John Harbaugh is a proven winner who brings instant credibility.
But the Jets’ path forward isn’t as bleak as it might seem. They’ve got talent, they’ve got draft capital, and they’ve got time to get this right - starting with the quarterback.
The frustration is understandable. But the foundation is there. Now it’s about finding the right pieces to build on it.