The offseason is usually where Jets fans thrive each year.
However, a month after playing their final game of the 2025 season, there isn’t much hope in Jets land.
Following a 3-14 season, Jets coach Aaron Glenn has made several staff changes. It appears only five coaches from last year’s staff (defensive backs/pass game coordinator Chris Harris, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo, offensive line coach Steve Heiden, wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, and running backs coach Nic McKissic-Luke) will return in 2026.
Following an inept season like the Jets endured, changes aren’t uncommon. What is unusual is that Glenn has to replace more assistants, including offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Frank Reich, Greg Roman, and Darrell Bevell are all being mentioned for possible roles on the Jets offensive staff.
“There’s got to be trust, there’s got to be faith,” Glenn said following the Jets’ regular-season finale loss to the Bills. “Like I said before, I’ve been here, done that. And I just know myself.
“Hopefully the fans know that, and I understand this season was not the way that everybody wanted it to go, and I get that, but again, just don’t let go of the rope, and just trust me. And I know that’s hard to say, just trust me, have faith in what we’re doing.”
If social media is any indication, Glenn has a lot of work to regain fans’ trust. A year ago, many were optimistic that Glenn, a former Jets Pro Bowl cornerback, returning to coach the team that drafted him to help them return to respectability. In his introductory press conference, Glenn told fans to “put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride.” I don’t think fans envisioned a ride toward rock bottom.
One positive for the Jets is that they are expected to have significant cap space this offseason. The NFL has told teams the 2026 salary cap is projected to land between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team, according to NFL Network. That would be a large increase from the $279.2 million cap in 2025.
That would leave the Jets with over $82 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. That would be the fourth most salary cap space in the league, trailing only the Titans, Raiders, and Chargers.
Gang Green needs every bit of that money to try and shore up several key areas at quarterback, the wide receiver position, and maybe at running back.
Breece Hall is scheduled to become a free agent on March 11, the start of the new league year. The Jets could place the franchise tag on Hall beginning on Feb. 17 through March 3.
If the Jets tag Hall, that would cost them around $14.5 million for the 2026 season, according to Over the Cap. They could also put the transition tag on Hall, which would cost a bit less at $11.7 million.
The next bit of business for the Jets will be finding a new starting quarterback. Justin Fields, whom the Jets took a swing on last season, is expected to be released before the start of free agency.
The free agency market for quarterbacks doesn’t offer much optimism. But the Jets could target Kirk Cousins if he is released by the Falcons, or Malik Willis, who dazzled in his limited time as a starter for the Packers last season.
In addition to obtaining a veteran quarterback, the Jets will also draft one in April. Since it is expected that the Raiders will draft Indiana quarterback and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza first overall, the Jets could target Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson or a player available on Day 2 or 3 of the NFL Draft. Among those names are LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, or Illinois’ Luke Altmyer.
Although many Jet fans have been cold on Glenn, general manager Darren Mougey had an encouraging offseason last year. He drafted right tackle Armand Membou, who was one of the best rookies during the 2025 season. He also traded for Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs ahead of the season and shipped Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in the midst of a lost season for more draft capital.
Glenn hasn’t given many Jet fans much hope after his first season, in which they were outscored in the final five games 188–54. But with the amount of money they have and four draft picks in the top 44, the Jets have a chance to be the next team that can make a significant turnaround.
But can Glenn and Mougey make all the necessary moves to make that happen? Stay tuned.
