As OTAs get underway, the Jets have no shortage of questions to answer and developments to monitor before what could be a pivotal season for the franchise.
Monitoring the QB Position
Aaron Glenn has been very adamant this offseason that Geno Smith will be the Jets’ starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season. However, with intriguing young options on the roster, such as former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, and the possibility of adding Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby through the NFL Supplemental Draft, it is worth examining both players as potential long-term options for the franchise.
Klubnik clearly impressed the Jets during the draft process, which led the team to move up in the fourth round and select him much earlier than expected.
The rookie quarterback also opened OTAs with a strong showing, delivering a clean performance in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
If he continues to perform well throughout the offseason program and training camp, Klubnik could put himself in position to earn opportunities during the regular season, particularly in developmental or situational roles.
Should Jets Take a Chance With Brendan Sorsby?
Another quarterback worth monitoring is Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby. After it was revealed that Sorsby had placed bets on his own team while enrolled at Indiana University, discussion quickly shifted toward the possibility of him entering the NFL Supplemental Draft. Although the supplemental draft is rarely used, it has produced notable NFL talent in the past, including Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter and former Pro Bowl receiver Josh Gordon.
Any team interested in Sorsby would have the opportunity to evaluate him through visits and workouts before deciding whether to submit a bid. If the Jets believe he possesses starting-caliber traits, pursuing him could be a worthwhile investment in the franchise’s future.
New York’s position near the top of the supplemental draft order could work in its favor. Should multiple teams submit bids in the same round, the team with the higher priority would receive the player’s rights. If the Jets view Sorsby as a legitimate long-term quarterback prospect, they would be among the teams most capable of securing him.
If the Jets decide to do this it will allow them to use all three of their first round picks on other positions in what many analysts project to be a generational draft class.
Jets’ Position Battles
The Jets have several intriguing options at cornerback, setting the stage for one of the more competitive position battles of the offseason. Brandon Stephens and Nahshon Wright have opened OTAs as the team’s starting outside cornerbacks, but AZ Thomas and D’Angelo Ponds could challenge for significant roles as the summer progresses.
Thomas showed promise in limited action before suffering an injury last season. His performance gave the Jets enough confidence in their young cornerback room to move on from All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner after receiving an offer of two first-round picks from the Colts.
Ponds entered the draft as one of the more highly regarded cornerback prospects in college football. However, concerns about his size contributed to his slide down draft boards. At 5-foot-9, some evaluators questioned whether his skill set would translate to the NFL. Despite those concerns, the Jets were confident enough in his film and athletic ability to select him in the second round.
While Ponds could eventually compete for snaps on the outside, his quickest path to playing time may come at nickel cornerback. New York acquired Jarvis Brownlee Jr last season, and he handled the majority of the team’s snaps in the slot. However, if Ponds continues to impress throughout OTAs and training camp, the coaching staff may find it difficult to keep him off the field.
Regardless of how the depth chart shakes out, cornerback is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched position groups on the roster heading into training camp.
The Jets’ Kicker Battle
Another position battle worth monitoring for New York is at kicker. After Nick Folk departed in free agency, the Jets signed Cade York and former Pro Bowler Younghoe Koo to compete for the job throughout the offseason.
Both kickers entered camp with questions to answer. York has not appeared in an NFL game since 2024, while Koo struggled during the 2025 season, converting just 66.7% of his field-goal attempts while spending time with multiple teams.
The competition took another turn when the Giants waived Jason Sanders. The Jets quickly claimed the former All-Pro, releasing Koo just days after signing him and setting up a battle between Sanders and York for the starting job.
On paper, Sanders appears to have the advantage. However, he missed the entire 2025 season with a hip injury, leaving questions about whether he can return to the form that once made him one of the league’s top kickers. If he does, the Jets may have found a long-term answer at the position.
Breakout Candidates at Jets OTAs
Adonai Mitchell is a player to watch for the Jets this season. Entering his first offseason with New York and just the third year of his NFL career, Mitchell still possesses plenty of untapped potential. He showed flashes of that upside last season, including an impressive performance against the Falcons.
Mitchell has also gotten off to a strong start this offseason, quickly developing chemistry with newly acquired quarterback Geno Smith. Building that connection could prove important as the Jets look to expand their passing attack heading into the season.
Despite the return of Garrett Wilson and the additions of Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., Mitchell could still be in line for a breakout campaign. If he continues to build on the momentum he has generated to start the offseason, he could emerge as a key contributor in New York’s offense.
Will Kingsley Enagbare Break Out?
Another potential breakout candidate for New York is newly acquired edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. The former Packer signed a one-year deal with the Jets worth up to $10 million this offseason, giving him an opportunity to earn a larger role in a new defensive system.
During his time in Green Bay, Enagbare established himself as a reliable run defender and consistently showed the ability to set the edge. However, there is still room for growth as a pass rusher. If he can take a step forward in that area, Enagbare could emerge as a starter and become an important piece of the Jets’ defensive front.
With several roster spots and snap counts still up for grabs, Enagbare is one of the more intriguing players to watch throughout the offseason program and training camp.
The Jets enter the heart of OTAs with several roster questions still to be answered, as competition across the depth chart begins to heat up. While the results are still early, these sessions will be key in determining how New York’s roster takes shape heading into the new season.
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