Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.
Today's question: What are the Jets' biggest needs heading into the offseason?
RL: I'll limit my suggestions to what looks to me like the four biggest areas of need. QB is No. 1. It would seem that the team can add a veteran bridge man and draft the best available QB when their turn come up at either 2,16, 33 or 44. This draftee may or may not be the Jets' QB of the future, but they will have addressed the position for '26. At WR, Garrett Wilson could use some friends, so I'd put a top wideout or two, either via free agency, the draft or both, on my list. Defensively, LB Jamien Sherwood will need a similar supporting cast, and that could of course start with many draftniks' favorite No. 2 overall pick, Ohio State LB Arvell Reese, although the Jets will be looking at other options as well with their first pick of the draft. Last, I'd want to infuse youth and/or experience into the secondary to supplement S Malachi Moore. I thought Brandon Stephens did OK, and I'd like to see Andre Cisco get a second chance to show out for his hometown, but the Green & White should bring in top talented bodies at corner, nickel and safety.
EA: After finalizing their coaching staff, all eyes now turn to the Jets roster. Quarterback is the most important position in sports and GM Darren Mougey has said his club will exhaust all its options there. We're likely to get further insight into the Jets process when Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn address the media at the NFL Combine. No matter the direction they choose, the biggest need for the Jets is stability at the position after they started three different passers last season. I like the pairing of OC Frank Reich and QB coach Bill Musgrave because their experience will be invaluable for the entire quarterback room. The offense has several pieces in place starting with the foundation of a young offensive line, a star receiver in Garrett Wilson, a solid TE room and a stable of talented running backs. Breece Hall is one of 24 Jets who could become unrestricted free agents. The Jets are expected to have several new starters on defense next season, and it will be fascinating to see what they look like schematically under Glenn and new DC Brian Duker. OvertheCap.com projects the Jets to have more than $83 million in cap space plus the club has the draft capital to address all three levels of the defense. More than anything, they need players who are going to take the ball away. The NFL's top 6 leaders in takeaways all made the postseason last season and 9 of the top 11 made the playoffs.
JP: The Jets' biggest needs heading into the 2026 offseason appear to be revamping their defense, which ranked second to last in points allowed (29.5) and last in total takeaways (4), and stabilizing the quarterback position after starting three different signal callers in 2025, the fourth time they've done that in the last five seasons. Luckily, HC Aaron Glenn & GM Darren Mougey have plenty of ammo to address both needs in '26, through the NFL draft and free agency. The Green & White have eight picks in April's draft, two in the first round, two in the second, one in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh and are also projected to have two compensatory picks, both in the fifth round, according to Over The Cap. In addition, they have 23 pending free agents and are projected to have at least $70 million in cap room, according to OTC, with several interesting QB options — Kirk Cousins & Marcus Mariota — and edge defenders — Trey Hendrickson & Khalil Mack — set to hit the market in the spring.
