On the recent scouting trip that took the Jets' GM Darren Mougey, HC Aaron Glenn and OC Frank Reich to college pro days around the country, at a stop in Miami to get a look at players like edge Rueben Bain, Jr., QB Carson Beck and CB Keiontte Scott, Glenn took advantage of the opportunity to chat with former All-Pro DE Jason Taylor (now the Hurricane's D-line coach) -- about his son, Jets second-year TE Mason Taylor.
"I talked with his dad when we were in Miami, working those guys out, that you're going to see him [Mason] take another step," Glenn told a gaggle of reporters on Tuesday at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. "So I'm excited about that player."
Taylor, 21, a star tight end in college at LSU, was selected by the Jets in the second round (No. 42 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He appeared in 13 games (11 starts) last season, but dealt with a nagging neck injury and ended up on injured reserve before the end of the season. That said, he still took 81% of the snap counts when available and led the Green & White in targets (65) and receptions (44), and was second to WR Garrett Wilson (who played in only 8 games because of a knee injury) with 369 receiving yards.
Asked on Tuesday to zero in on a guy who might be flying under the radar heading into the 2026 NFL season, Glenn did not need more than a few seconds to respond.
"I don't think he's flying under the radar, but I'm really looking forward to what Mason does this year," Glenn said. "Yeah, I think Mason's going to have a hell of a year, I really do, because there are some things that we talked about."
He added: "You're going to see him, like, take another step."
At 6-5, 251, Taylor, along with TEs Jeremy Ruckertand Jelani Woods, will make an imposing target for recently acquired QB Geno Smith. In addition, Taylor offers elite blocking-ability as he works along the offensive line with the Jets' young bookend tackles, Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu.
"I'm excited about all the guys we got in free agency, but if you would ask me for one person -- Mason, that's a guy," Glenn said. "Our conversation at the end-of-the-year exit interviews, that was one of the realest conversations that I've had, for a rookie, too.
"And just like I'll tell you, I evaluate myself, and he hears that. And he said, 'Coach, just like you said, I'm evaluating myself, too. Here's some things I know I have to work on, and here's some things you need to hold me accountable for, which I will so I can make sure I take the next step.' And again, that was a real conversation, and he was very adamant about the things that he wanted to get better at. So again, another player with a chip on his shoulder and I feel like he understands what he's got to get better at, and how he's going about doing it."
