Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange, Susanna Weir and Jack Bell will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.
Today's question: What is the Jets' biggest offseason storyline?
EA: The Jets are equipped with financial flexibility and draft capital to attack multiple holes in their roster, but the coaching staff is the primary focus right now for HC Aaron Glenn. The Jets' top storyline is their ongoing search for a defensive coordinator. They interviewed eight candidates virtually and that pool might be seven if Mathieu Araujo does end up in Jacksonville as has been recently reported. The second round for selected candidates will be in-person interviews. Glenn has stressed the importance of "synergy" between him and his new DC and that compatibility is just as important as coachability. Once that hire is in place, the club can dive into the scheme and personnel fits. The Jets are expected to have several new starters on a unit that transitioned away from a pair of elite talents in-season in exchange for players and multiple future assets. GM Darren Mougey said he'll "exhaust every option" at quarterback this offseason and the Jets could add multiple QBs via free agency, trade and/or the draft. The team hopes to find stability at the position after starting three QBs for the sixth time since 2016.
RL: I'd love to be creative here, but storylines 1, 2 and 3 are the quarterback position. Will the Jets attempt to sign a short-term veteran in free agency? Will they like the QB landscape at their second overall perch? If not, might they trade down, grab another high pick, and see if the scenery looks more enticing? Do they wait for their 16th overall pick or Round 2 (picks 33 and 44)? Will Justin Fields get another chance to prove himself? And whoever they hand the ball to, can he stop the three-year life cycle of Jets quarterbacks? It started with Mark Sanchez in 2009, skipped a stop, then resumed with Ryan Fitzpatrick in '15 (one season, really, but a great-looking season it was until Game 16 at Buffalo), Sam Darnold in '18, Zach Wilson in '21 and Fields in '24. Finally, whoever the anointed one is, can the Jets surround him with all the talent he needs — on both sides of the ball — to get up and flying quickly? It's a huge project, but other teams have gotten it done in the last decade, so one more question: Why not the Jets?
JB: The questions and speculation ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in late April are swirling around the Jets and their No. 2 overall pick after Oregon QB Dante Moore opted to stay in college. What is certain is that one of the youngest rosters in the NFL this past season is poised to get even younger. The Jets currently have 12 draft picks, including two first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 16) and two second-round picks (No. 33 and No. 44). That's a lot of draft capital. Last year, GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn put their heads together and with some wheeling and dealing landed seven draft picks -- all of whom made the team and played well at various points of the season. At the top of the list -- RT Armand Membou who was named to ESPN's All-Rookie team for 2025. In addition, S Malachi Moore and CB Azareye'h Thomas were named honorable mentions. The team also received contributions from TE Mason Taylor, DL Tyler Baron and LB Kiko Mauigoa. Now, with the prospect of drafting as many as a dozen players, and with the expectation of them all making the team, that would give the Green & White a two-year haul of 19 young men among the 53-man roster. Is there a learning curve? Of course. But a solid and promising foundation, nonetheless.
SW: After a youth movement took over during the Jets' 2025 season, it will be interesting to see how young players -- especially members of the most recent draft class -- develop during their first full offseason with the team. All 7 members of the 2025 draft class contributed in some capacity last season, with OL Armand Membou leading the way. Membou, who played all but 1 offensive snap in 2025, boasted a 91.7% pass block win rate and 79.6% run block win rate. S Malachi Moore stepped into a starting role and put together a commendable rookie campaign -- recording 101 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 pass defenses, 1 FF and 1 FR -- and WR Arian Smith was a steady contributor on special teams. TE Mason Taylor -- who led the team in receptions -- LB Kiko Mauigoa, CB Azareye'h Thomas and DL Tyler Baron all ended the season on injured reserve but made an impact early on. By Week 18, the Jets led the league in snaps by first- and second-year players. While some of that can be attributed to the Jets being battered by injuries throughout the season and relying relied on some younger guys -- and some undrafted rookie free agents -- to step up, it's worth noting that this is a young roster that could take big strides as players get healthy and continue to develop.
