Jets contract extension big board: Geno Smith headlines 5 players to watch

This season hasn't gone according to plan for the New York Jets. They are 2-6 entering Week 9, which isn't what anyone in the building wanted. The seat around head coach Aaron Glenn has been heating up, but there are some quality players on this roster.

It appears general manager Darren Mougey will stick around, and regardless, the Jets need to start thinking about who will be a part of this team for the 2027 campaign.

There will be turnover on the roster, but there are some players who have earned an extension. We'll highlight five players who should get extended, and quarterback Geno Smith is at the top of the list.

In-house players the New York Jets should consider extending

1. Geno Smith

The Jets got Smith for a bargain, as they are paying him just $3.3 million this season. The Las Vegas Raiders decided to pay him $16.2 million in 2026 to get him off the roster. And for the Jets, he's been what they hoped for under center.

Through eight games, Smith is ninth in passing yards (1,913), tied for 13th in passing touchdowns (12), and tied for sixth in interceptions (three). He's also completing 69% of his passes and has played as most fans expected.

With the Jets expected to take a quarterback in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft, Smith would provide them with a great bridge quarterback. Smith has shown that he can still play and be productive in the league.

Extending him for another year would be a wise move. It would give them a veteran who can start while having a rookie wait and develop in the wings. That's what the Raiders have done with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, which has worked flawlessly.

Smith has played at a level that allows the playmakers on offense to get the ball and make plays. With a young QB expected to join this team in 2027, extending Smith for another year is smart, and his play has opened that door.

2. Adonai Mitchell

Adonai Mitchell came over in a trade from the Colts, and during his time with the Jets, he has flashed. Mitchell is just 24 years old and has one year left on his rookie deal. While he missed some time this year with a finger injury, Mitchell was stellar against the Raiders.

He finished with seven catches for 142 yards and a score. Mitchell has gone over 60 receiving yards in three of his four outings. His connection with Smith was something that was heavily discussed during the offseason, and it's clear when they take the field together.

Mitchell has great deep speed to stretch the field, but he's added the intermediate element to his game. Having a trio of him, Garrett Wilson, and Omar Cooper Jr. puts opposing defenses in a bind, as they all bring something different to the table.

Considering how young he is and the fact that the Jets provided him another opportunity after the Colts gave up on him is something he'll overlook. For the first time in a long time, the Jets have talented and explosive receivers, and Mitchell is someone they should look to keep around.

3. Dylan Parham

Guard Dylan Parham is one of Mougey's best free-agent signings. They gave him a modest two-year, $16 million deal in March, and he has certainly outplayed that deal. Parham missed four games due to a knee injury, and his presence was sorely missed.

He returned against his former team, the Raiders, and picked up right where he left off. He was opening lanes in the run game while also being solid in pass pro. According to Pro Football Focus, Parham has an 87.9 overall grade (2nd among 75 graded guards), an 89.0 run-blocking grade (2nd among 75 graded guards), and a 77.4 pass-blocking grade (9th among 75 graded guards).

Parham has allowed nine total pressures but has yet to give up a sack. The chemistry that he has with Olu Fashanu is clear, and it gives New York stability on the left side. With one more year left on his deal, the Jets should look to tack on two to three more years on his contract.

When Parham has been on the field, he's been one of the better guards in the NFL. That's not an exaggeration; it's a fact. And the Jets should look to keep him around.

4. Braelon Allen

Running back Braelon Allen has played at a remarkable level. Since Week 4, Allen has been one of the best running backs in the NFL. As pointed out by Justin Fried of The Jet Press, Allen's numbers are outstanding.

• Rushing yards: 504 (2nd)
• YPC: 5.42 (2nd)
• Yards after contact: 357 (3rd)
• Missed tackles forced: 25 (2nd)
• 10+ yard runs: 19 (1st)

If this were spanned over a 17-game season, Allen would be on pace for over 1,800 rushing yards. There's no reason to overthink this. Allen is a stud, and he earned the right to stick as New York's RB1. He also has one year left on his deal, but the Jets would be smart to give him an extension sooner rather than later.

This would likely be something that happens in the offseason, but regardless, Allen looks like the real deal. The Wisconsin product is just 22 years old, and it looks like things have fully clicked for him. The Jets should find a way to hammer out a deal to keep him around.

5. Dane Belton

During the offseason, New York added safety Dane Belton on a one-year, $4 million deal. He was brought in and had to compete with Andre Cisco for the starting job in camp. Not only did he do that, but Belton has been one of the better defenders for New York.

Entering Week 9, Belton is tied for 10th in the NFL in total tackles (68) and tied for eighth in solo tackles (37). He also has two TFLs, one sack, and four pass deflections. Belton is at his best when he's attacking downhill, and his ability to consistently be around the ball is a skill.

Meanwhile, in coverage, he isn't making things easy for the receiver. According to NFL Pro, Belton is forcing tight-window throws 35 percent of the time, with a career-best 2.8 yards of separation allowed.

Belton is just 25 years old and is entering his prime. He's the kind of player you want on the back end and to keep around for the future. This Jets defense will undergo a ton of change in the offseason, but keeping Belton around and giving him an extension should be a priority.

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