Jets' biggest remaining offseason task should have been done months ago

The New York Jets have had a very busy offseason, adding talent across the roster by way of some nice multi-year contracts in free agency and four picks in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even though they improved the linebacker room by signing a solid gold veteran in Demario Davis, that room as a whole is likely not going to scare NFL defenses.

Davis is his usual self, but the rest is one gigantic collective question mark. Jamien Sherwood was a major disappointment in his first season after signing his big contract extension, and there is no clarity among the backups. Who is LB3, and are they capable of holding their own?

Bleacher Report became the latest to join the chorus of those urging the Jets to upgrade their locker room, citing the need for a vet as one of the three remaining boxes left to check on their offseason to-do list. The Jets could have made this addition months ago and given this roster a bit more veteran leadership.

Jets must sign veteran linebacker before 2026 season starts

In theory, the combination of Davis and Sherwood should make for quite a solid combination of inside linebackers. The problem is the lack of depth, as the Jets would have no one to turn to who could provide high-end ILB play if one of them either gets hurt or doesn't thrive in Glenn's defensive scheme.

Second-year fifth-round pick Kiko Mauigoa flashed a few times last year, but he didn't show that he is assuredly anything more than a depth piece and special teams player in 2025. Marcelino McCrary-Ball is on the team exclusively for special teams, and Mykal Walker isn't exactly Patrick Willis on the interior.

The linebacker market is one of the few free agent groupings that hasn't been completely plundered by this point in this season. Some former rivals may end up filling that third linebacker role, as former Bills starter Matt Milano, Giants veteran Bobby Okereke, and Patriots standout Jahlani Tavai are all without a team at this point.

If the Jets bring in that extra veteran linebacker, they will have one of their deepest defensive rosters in years. While this is by no means a world-beating defense, the veteran leadership and productivity at all three levels should set them up for a 2026 season that is good enough to put the painful memories of last year in the past.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow