The Jets have been keeping a low profile with the media so far this offseason.
Before I continue, I want to make it clear that this isn’t a complaint, just an observation.
Winning press conferences isn’t important. Winning on the field is what the Jets need to focus on, and making the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. That should be their main focus.
But I’m pretty attuned to access around the league because I’m always looking for soundbites for my Saturday radio show. I’m all over the place on team websites, YouTube pages, and Twitter, finding sound from teams.
And compared to many other teams, the Jets have been pretty low profile as far as access, and that is their right. There are no media access rules in the off-season.
They have added 10 new players either through free agency or trades, and four have been made available to the media – Geno Smith, Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick and David Onyemata.
They have hired many new assistant coaches, including two new coordinators, and none have been made available to the media.
Some would argue that making new OC Frank Reich available would be good PR with all the negativity from the outside world about this team. Not on the beat, but more national press and local sports talk shows.
But they chose not to do that, and that is their right.
But the hiring of Reich is one of the most popular moves they have made, and putting him out there for 10 minutes would give the fans something to chew on and get excited about. Great hire!
However, the most important thing for the fans to get excited about related to Reich is his putting together a successful offense once the real games start in September. That is the most important thing.
As for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, their speaking schedule this year is just like the normal routine in the off-season for most coaches and GMs: press conference after the season, press conferences at the combine, then next week at the NFL League Meeting, and then a presser before the draft. So what is going on with the GM and head coach is similar to what is going on around the league.
All the new players, beyond just the four made available to the mainstream press, have been made available to people who work for the team’s website. This is normal for them to get more access in the off-season. It’s a good time of year to drive up the traffic on the team website with more behind-the-scenes stuff. I don’t consider these interviews scoops. It’s something entirely different.
But while the access has been limited to the media in terms of press conferences, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been access in other ways in terms of reporters getting the material they need for articles.
It’s important to have that kind of pipeline behind the scenes to keep the media tamed. Quid pro quo stuff.
The four Zoom press conferences with Smith, Davis, Fitzpatrick, and Onyemata, I have to be honest, I didn’t partake in those. I’m done with Zoom press conferences for the most part. That was a COVID thing, and I think it’s time to go back to doing things in person. This is kind of like the argument related to people going back to the office now or working remotely.
This isn’t a criticism of the Jets because many of the writers want to do it this way since they don’t live near the complex, but I’m old school. I will attend in-person press conferences where I can look people in the eye.
I’m not sure all of you knew this, but on the Monday after games, we used to get locker room access in the team facility. This was one of the most important days to be there, but now that it’s all Zoom, but that isn’t team-driven.
But in wrapping up here, there is no doubt the Jets have taken a low-key approach with the MSM this offseason.
And perhaps that is good.
Maybe as Elvis sang, it’s time for “a little less conversation and a little more action.”
The Jets’ main focus now should be on having their first winning season since 2015 and breaking their playoff drought.
March 25, 2026
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