5 Jets legends fans would love to see pull a Philip Rivers and unretire in 2026

Philip Rivers is back in the NFL. Yes, really. In one of the most unexpected developments the league has seen in years, the 44-year-old quarterback has come out of retirement to join the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.

The Colts are in the midst of a full-on implosion that can essentially be traced back to the day they traded two first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange for Sauce Gardner. Their entire season has gone downhill since that day.

Now, in the latest instance of just how far the mighty have fallen, the Colts may be leaning on a quarterback who has been out of the league for a half-decade with their postseason hopes on the line.

In the spirit of this Colts chaos, let's have some fun. If Rivers can come back, why not dream up a few Jets legends we’d love to see unretire in 2026? That's exactly what we did.

Former Jets we'd love to see pull a Philip Rivers and return to Florham Park

1. CB Darrelle Revis

The Jets traded away one of the most talented cornerbacks in franchise history less than two months ago. So why not replace him with the gold standard for cornerback excellence — not just in team history, but across the entire NFL?

Darrelle Revis may have retired all the way back in 2017, but at just 40 years old, he wouldn't even be the oldest player on the Jets roster. The four-time All-Pro has already been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, meaning he'd be the first active Hall of Famer to play in an NFL game.

Sure, the Revis we last saw eight years ago looked like a shell of his former self, but who’s to say retirement hasn’t introduced the Pitt legend to the fountain of youth? Bring Revis Island back to Florham Park, even if it's only for the nostalgia factor.

2. LB C.J. Mosley

Of all the nonsensical Jets returns we're going to talk about on this list, this might be the only one that actually makes some sense. Honestly, the Jets could really use a player like C.J. Mosley right about now.

The Jets' linebacker duo of Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood has underwhelmed in 2025, and it's become increasingly apparent that the team needs more size in the middle of their defense. In reality, they miss Mosley.

Mosley officially retired this past summer after he was released by the Jets in March following an injury-riddled 2024 season. But at just 33 years old, Mosley can absolutely still play at the NFL level.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed the latter portion of his career, and a serious neck issue played a major role in his early retirement. But this is fantasy land — none of that matters here. We’re turning injuries off like it’s a Madden franchise and bringing the captain of the Jets defense back in 2026.

3. QB Vinny Testaverde

Hear me out for a moment. Yes, Vinny Testaverde is 62 years old. Yes, he hasn’t played a snap of organized football in nearly two decades. And yes, suggesting he unretire in 2026 is the kind of idea that should come with a wellness check.

But if any quarterback has earned the right to be included in this completely unserious exercise, it’s the ageless wonder himself. Testaverde is the quintessential longevity journeyman, the man who simply refused to go away.

He started NFL games across four different decades and remains the second-oldest quarterback to ever start a game at 44. Playing deep into middle age is basically his brand.

And let’s not pretend Jets fans don’t have a soft spot for him. Testaverde orchestrated one of the greatest seasons by a quarterback in franchise history and helped lead the Jets to the brink of a Super Bowl in 1998.

If Philip Rivers can dust off the cleats at 44, why can’t Vinny roll out of bed at 62 and give the Jets a few snaps? Sure, we’re kidding, but also, are we?

4. WR Brandon Marshall

The Jets have spent the better part of the last decade searching for a true alpha X receiver to lead their offense. Really, it's a role the Jets haven't been able to fill since the days of Brandon Marshall.

The team is expected to heavily invest in the wide receiver position this offseason, with many expecting the Jets to target a big-bodied X receiver. But what if, in some crazy reality, they just brought back Marshall instead?

Marshall last suited up for an NFL team in 2018 when he played seven games for the Seattle Seahawks. By that point, he already barely resembled the dominant wideout who racked up over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jets in 2015.

Imagine a pairing of Garrett Wilson and prime Brandon Marshall. Now imagine a pairing of Garrett Wilson and present-day, soon-to-be 42-year-old Brandon Marshall. Maybe he's still got it?

5. DE Jason Taylor

Full transparency, I'm aware of how ridiculous it sounds to call Jason Taylor a "Jets legend." NFL legend? Sure. Miami Dolphins legend? Without question. But we’re talking about a guy who played just one season for the Jets back in 2010.

Still, there’s one very good reason it would be incredible to bring Taylor back to Florham Park for one more season at the ripe age of 51. That reason is his son, Mason Taylor.

The Jets could even make NFL history by fielding the first father-son player duo since Ted and Charlie Nesser suited up for the Columbus Panhandles in 1921. MLB had Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. The NBA has LeBron and Bronny James. It’s about time the NFL gets a father-son tandem of its own.

The elder Taylor is currently serving as the defensive ends coach for the University of Miami, but I bet if he received a call from Darren Mougey about coming out of retirement, he'd at least give it some consideration. The Jets could certainly use some help at edge rusher.