The New York Jets are entering 2026 coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history after going 3-14. New York will be under a level of scrutiny that few other franchises will experience in 2026. Fans and the media alike will be watching Aaron Glenn’s team under a microscope as they look to bounce back from an abysmal 2025.
There are no expectations for the Jets to make the playoffs this season. However, that does not mean there is no expectation of progress. As the Jets begin preparation for the season, three things will be early indicators of what this Jets team can be in 2026.
Fans will get their first looks at how things are shaping up when Jets’ Training Camp kicks off next week.
The “Prodigal Son” Geno Smith Returns
Geno Smith is back. The Jets reunited with their 2013 second-round pick in the offseason after a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The move, which was made with hope of invigorating a passing offense that finished dead last in 2025, will be one of the main talking points at Jets camp.
The journeyman finds himself back where his NFL career started after bouncing around both as a backup and starter. Geno was able to revitalize his career in Seattle but finished second to last in QBR during his lone season in Las Vegas.
The Jets have a roster full of young talent, and they brought in Smith to help that talent reach its full potential. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall have been clear bright spots for the Jets. However, poor quarterback play has marred their careers. If Smith is able to help get the most out of the two young talents, many will see the move as a success regardless of the wins it brings.
Smith will be under a watchful eye as soon as training camp begins. The signal caller will be a big part of the Jets’ success or failure this year, and that all starts at training camp.
Rebuilding the Walls of Je(ts)richo
The Jets were active this offseason. A big part of that activity was addressing the defense. New York made 17 offseason moves, with ten of them being on the defensive side. A team that finished 31st in defense in 2025 needs these types of moves.
The Jets addressed leadership and ability with these offseason moves. Veterans Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick were not acquired just for their ability, but their knowledge of the game as well. The 2025 Jets defense lacked an identity. The 2026 Jets need to find one.
The Jets had a clear plan to address the defense in the offseason, and it shows. New York went without an interception in 2025. They went on to sign Nashon Wright, who had the second-most interceptions in 2025. The defensive line was underwhelming. The Jets made four defensive line acquisitions in the offseason.
Glenn knows his defensive acumen was a chief factor in his hiring. That acumen has to start showing. The Jets will need these offseason moves to pay off if there is any hope of improvement in 2026. The Jets filled their defense with leaders and playmakers, addressing the shortcomings that were evident in the previous year.
The Children Are the Jets’ Future
The Jets made eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with three of them being in the first round. New York is a franchise who has been clamoring for hope the past decade-plus. These rookies serve as a shining beacon during what has been a dark time. This new class of Jets will be under watch as soon as they step foot on the field July 25.
The organization and fans expect many of these rookies to bolster their respective sides of the ball immediately upon arriving. David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., and D’Angelo Ponds are likely to be starting or fighting for a spot day one. They are not the only ones to keep an eye on, however.
The Jets have been looking for a franchise quarterback for most of the team’s history. The aforementioned Geno Smith is the last quarterback drafted by the Jets to start a whole season for the team.
The Jets get another bite at the apple with Cade Klubnik entering the fray. Fans will flock to the rookie to see if he can be the answer New York has been searching for. Every flash of potential brilliance or failure from Klubnik will bring talking points with them.
Every rookie will have a shot to make a name for themselves with a roster that was as bad as it was last year. Fans and the organization will be watching closely to see what the new batch of Jets can bring.
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