Jets' busy offseason has NFL analyst cautiously excited about worst-to-first chances

The New York Jets may not have eyes on a Super Bowl in 2026, but they should start to establish themselves as a team that can make some noise by leaning on an array of young players on offense and established veterans in free agency.

By acquiring Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback in free agency and bringing in multiple veterans Glenn has past connections with, the Jets are much better equipped to make some noise than they were last year, and the national media is starting to realize that.

The Jets ranked fifth out of eight in Pro Football Focus' projection of which teams are the most likely to go from last place in their divisions to first place. Considering the presence of two Super Bowl contenders in the Bills and Patriots in that division, ranking fifth is actually quite impressive.

Jets ranked fifth out of eight in PFF's worst-to-first projections

This may sound reductive and oversimplified, but so much of what the Jets are going to do this season will come down to the quarterback and the offensive coordinator. If Smith really is cooked and new OC Frank Reich proves to be a schematic dinosaur, no amount of roster improvements will get this team on track.

However, although neither of them provides an even passable performance, there are the ingredients for a nice seven or eight-win season here. That would feel like finding an oasis in the desert for a fanbase that has been begging for any signs of improvement.

Not only has the Jets' non-quarterback offensive situation graduated to the ranks of "not bad," it might be above average. In addition to Garrett Wilson, New York has two rookie first-round picks in Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., as well as holdovers like Mason Taylor and Adonai Mitchell. The offensive line is quite impressive.

On defense, this unit brought in veteran starters at every level. With David Onyemata and Joseph Ossai on the defensive line, Demario Davis in the linebacker room, and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary, Glenn should have more than enough talent to get this crew back to the middle of the pack.

It might take a minor miracle for the Jets to surpass Buffalo or New England this season, but all fans can ask for is clear and tangible improvement, and Glenn has all the tools at his disposal necessary for a climb back to respectability in Year 2 of his regime.

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