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I’m not big on predictions.
So I’m not going to put a number on it, but I would be shocked if the Jets aren’t better than last season.
What better looks like as far as record, I have no idea, but it would be shocking if we saw a repeat of last year.
First of all, Geno Smith is a better QB than Justin Fields and Brady Cook. Fields started nine games (2-7 record), and Cook started four games (0-4 record). That was 13 of the 17 games last year. Tyrod Taylor started the other four.
Geno Smith is a better pocket passer than Fields and Cook.
So in a passing league, that should make them better.
They should also do better because Frank Reich is calling the plays. He’s a proven high-level NFL play-caller.
Last year’s coordinator was a first-time NFL OC.
As top-shelf play callers are able to do, Reich will help the Jets manufacture production on offense with his ability as an offensive chess player, and in turn help the QB out.
Look at what OC Klint Kubiak did for QB Sam Darnold last year in Seattle. Kubiak did a brilliant job, manufacturing production for Darnold with his play-calling. Not taking anything away from Darnold, who did a nice job in helping the Seahawks win a championship, but there is no question he was helped by how well Kubiak sequenced play-calls, played chess, if you will.
The Jets defense should be better than last year, in large part due to being a lot more talented, adding two very talented players high in the draft, perhaps the best edge-rushing (David Bailey) and one of the best cornerbacks available (D’Angelo Ponds). And on top of that, they added two defensive tackles to fix their run defense issues up the middle in T’Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata, an alpha dog middle linebacker to lead their defense in Demario Davis, and a new ringleader for their secondary in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Aaron Glenn made a mistake farming out his defense to a different coach last year, and now he will be overseeing that unit. I’m not saying Glenn is Buddy Ryan, but most would argue he’s a better DC than the man he’s replacing.
As for special teams, coordinator Chris Banjo did a great job last year and is a rising star in the coaching world. Don’t be surprised if he’s a head coach down the road somewhere. He has the “it” factor. So the Jets are in great shape on special teams.
And the personnel decisions this off-season make a lot more sense on paper than last year. Smart contacts devoid of reckless spending, and now there is a lot more depth.
Mike Francesa reported a power shift in Florham Park, and claims Darren Mougey now has much more power.
“Mougey is now in charge – it is not equal,” Francesa said.
If this is true, it’s not the worst thing in the world.
It seemed like Glenn came in with the football czar kind of powers, like Sean Payton in Denver, where the head coach is not only coaching the team but also controlling the roster.
Some would argue Glenn is best served just coaching the team, leading the team, and not having all-consuming power.
He had a good resume when he arrived in Florham Park, but not a “let’s make him the football czar” kind of resume.
Some of the personnel decisions right out of the gate in 2025 were dubious, including the Fields and Jamien Sherwood contracts.
So if the story is true, and Woody Johnson decided to give Mougey total control of personnel, and wants Glenn to focus on just coaching the team, it might not be a bad thing.
The point here is simple. No predictions on a record, but it would be shocking if the Jets aren’t better this year than last year, for several reasons.
June 29, 2026
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