Jets fans finally got the Robert Saleh message they’ve been anticipating

New York Jets fans will forever remember July 27, 2026, as a historic day eventually worthy of its own MetLife Stadium ceremony.

On Monday morning, CBS Sports actually took a pro-Jets stance — by their standards, at least.

In all seriousness, CBS Sports has spent months tearing into the Jets for everything imaginable, so you’ll understand the shock in seeing something called praise. In fact, it even came at old friend Robert Saleh’s expense! 

NFL analyst John Breech ranked the eight teams eligible for a worst-to-first turnaround, a feat that 12 teams have accomplished since 2015. Breech believes that Geno Smith and the Jets, despite sharing a division with the Bills and Patriots, have a better chance to win the East than the Titans do to win the AFC South.

“The Patriots pulled off a worst-to-first run in the AFC East last season, and if Smith and the defense both step up, the Jets might be able to stay in the division title hunt until late in the season, which would be a moral victory for a team that hasn't won the AFC East since 2002,” Breech wrote.

The Jets placed No. 4, one spot ahead of the Titans.

CBS Sports is finally thinking positively about the Jets

I know, I can’t believe it either. While it’s certainly refreshing to see someone show such optimism, especially in a story where forced positivity wasn’t part of the angle, I think Breech might be going just a bit too far.

The Patriots had Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye helping engineer that turnaround, and they benefited from the Dolphins and Jets’ losing seasons. Vrabel was an accomplished coach with the Titans, and Maye was a 2024 first-round pick. That’s a far better situation than what Aaron Glenn and the 2026 Jets are facing.

Even if the Patriots regress, they’re nonetheless built for another playoff run. Betting against Josh Allen in the regular season is never safe, and Patriots fans previously saw that with Peyton Manning and the Colts. Holding off those two to win the AFC East is certainly a task.

As for Breech’s idea that the Jets can stay in the postseason hunt, they’ve certainly positioned themselves to keep things close. Part of that, at least to me, has to do with Glenn’s genuine passion and desire to succeed coaching his former team. You’re also hoping that the Jets’ rookies, specifically their three first-round picks and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, all prove immensely valuable in their first season.

All I know is that if CBS Sports wants Jets fans to keep reading, then they’ll continue being objective about their favorite team.

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