I’m not sure anyone imagined the Jets (0-7) 2025 season beginning this way.
They are the lone winless team in the NFL.
One of the primary reasons for the Jets’ lack of success through seven games is their failure to play complementary football. During the first five games of the season, the Jets defense was shockingly one of the worst units in the league after allowing 31.4 points per game.
However, the Jets’ defense has returned to its standard over the past two weeks, giving up just 13 points each against the Broncos and Panthers. But the offense under Justin Fields and/or Tyrod Taylor hasn’t scored enough points to pull out victories.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn hasn’t named a quarterback for this week’s game against the Bengals, but they will hope to put an end to their seven-game losing streak before a bye in Week 9. Before then, let’s answer some of your questions in the latest Jets mailbag.
If you had to guess on October 23rd, Antwan, who is the QB for the Jets heading into 2026? -@DTereman
Admittedly, this is the first time I’ve really looked at potential quarterback options before Halloween. But considering the Jets are on the cusp of extending their dreaded postseason drought to 15 years, I understand why many fans have begun to look towards the offseason and the 2026 NFL Draft.
Depending on who you ask, the crop of quarterbacks seems to bring out a mix of options. However, players like Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore have both grabbed my attention.
As of right now, I think the Jets brass should really consider drafting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza next April. The transfer from California has the physique of a pocket passer. Mendoza also has the accuracy, ball placement, and skill set to succeed in the league.
While he was the defensive coordinator at Detroit, Glenn saw how successful the Lions offense was with Jared Goff at quarterback. Mendoza has a very similar touch, placement, and ability to change throwing-arm positions, just like Goff. Both are tough in the pocket but lack Lamar Jackson’s athletic ability. But Mendoza, just like Goff, has enough athleticism and football intelligence to force defenses to respect his ability as a runner when the pocket collapses.
In seven games for the Hoosiers, Mendoza has thrown for 1,755 yards, 21 touchdowns, and registered only two interceptions while completing 73.5% of his passes. It is too early to say this is a lock, but Mendoza is my leader in the clubhouse simply because he fits exactly what the Jets like to do from an offensive standpoint.
Looking ahead at the schedule, when are [the] Jets getting their first win?- @JetsMets4Life
Not sure how many people looked at my full schedule prediction when it was released in April, but I thought the Jets would have two victories by now. I also predicted them to win six games this season. It looks like I whiffed on both of those predictions.
If they do not beat the Bengals on Sunday, there are three games I’m pinpointing as possible wins for the Jets. Following the bye, the Jets will host the Browns on Nov. 9. Cleveland currently has the best defense in the NFL, so it will not be an easy win, especially with Myles Garrett staring at the Jets offensive line from the opposing side.
If the Jets can’t get a win against the Browns, the best two opportunities will come in December against the Dolphins and Saints. Miami is a bigger mess than the Jets currently are with its general manager [Chris Grier], coach [Mike McDaniel] and quarterback [Tua Tagovailoa] all on the hot seat. The Dolphins’ only win to this point came against the Jets in Miami, and their Dec. 7 figures to be another close game.
The Jets will play the Saints on the road on Dec. 21. New Orleans, like Miami, currently has one win, a victory over the Giants in Week 5. I don’t think the Jets will go 0-17 all year, so I will pick them to beat the Dolphins and Saints.
With the trade deadline 2 weeks away, I assume that the Jets are open to making trades, yet they still need to field a team and think about the future. Who do you think they will move at the deadline?- @FranS3837
There have been a lot of rumors swirling about the Jets and the potential moves they could make at the deadline. If his tweet from Wednesday is accurate, Jermaine Johnson will not be one of the players traded.
Johnson tweeted a GIF from the movie ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ featuring actor Leonardo DiCaprio saying, “I’m not leaving.” ESPN has reported that Johnson is rumored to be shipped by the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
Johnson is under contract for 2026 at a $13.4 million salary, with the Jets exercising his fifth-year option in April. I don’t think the Jets should trade Johnson because he wants to remain with the team and their defense is clearly better with the fourth-year player on the field.
However, the Jets need to either commit to Johnson long-term or trade him, depending on what they could get in return. Will McDonald, Breece Hall, Michael Carter II, and even Quinnen Williams have been rumored to be traded.
But outside of moving Carter, I wouldn’t have a total fire sale. If a team wants to acquire Hall for a high fourth-round pick or maybe a low third-round pick, I would consider trading him. But Glenn and the staff don’t want to wave the white flag with half the season still to go. He is trying to establish a culture of eventual success, and some of those players could help them achieve it down the line.
