Jets Free-Agency Tracker 2026: Signings, departures, cap space analysis, and more

The New York Jets are set to enter a critical offseason for head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. Both Glenn and Mougey know that they need to win football games in 2026 to save their jobs. Luckily for them, the Jets will have ample cap space to improve their team in free agency.

Jets fans shouldn't expect their team to be among the highest spenders on the free agent market, but with a host of glaring holes and more than enough money to spend, there will be a few splashes.

Consider this page your complete Jets free agency primer and tracker. Bookmark it and check back regularly for updates and analysis on the latest Jets signings, departures, potential targets, and everything in between.

On this page:

1. Free-agency snapshot
2. Jets free-agent signings
3. Jets re-signings
4. Jets trades
5. Jets Departures
6. Potential departures to watch
7. Best targets remaining
8. More free agency coverage

Free-agency snapshot

• Cap space remaining: $37,124,446 (updated via Over the Cap)
• Biggest signing: Joseph Ossai
• Biggest departure: Alijah Vera-Tucker
• Most surprising move: Nahshon Wright's contract
• Biggest remaining needs: QB, WR, EDGE, iOL
• Last updated: 12:27 pm ET, March 12, 2026

The Jets began free agency with more than $70 million in cap space and a roster that needs serious work. In fact, the Jets could realistically add an impact player at nearly any position on the roster, perhaps outside of offensive tackle and running back.

The team kicked off the offseason madness by acquiring nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat in a trade with the Tennessee Titans late last month, reuniting Jermaine Johnson with Robert Saleh in Nashville.

They followed that up by placing the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall shortly before free agency. The two sides remain in contact and will continue to work on a long-term extension. The deadline for Hall to sign his tender by is July 15th, giving the Jets some time to work things out.

Jets free-agent signings

Joseph Ossai, EDGE

The Jets make their first major splash of free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $36 million contract ($22 million guaranteed) with Bengals edge rusher Joseph Ossai. At just 25 years old, Ossai fits the exact profile of free agent the Jets are looking to add this offseason.

He's a young, ascending player coming off a season in which he played a career-high 67% of the Bengals' defensive snaps. Ossai has recorded 5.0 sacks in each of the last two seasons and finished 2025 with a career-best 43 pressures.

Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE

The Jets sign two edge rushers in the spam of about five minutes, this time inking ex-Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare to a one-year, $10 million deal. We mentioned Enagbare as a possible target for the Jets earlier this morning — it makes a lot of sense.

The 26-year-old is another ascending player who recorded 11.5 sacks over four years in Green Bay, but he realy projects best as a run-defending edge setter. Enagbare has recorded 44 run stops over the last two seasons combined.

Demario Davis, LB

The Jets have reunited with a former fan favorite, bringing Demario Davis back to Florham Park for a third stint with the organization on a two-year, $22 million contract ($11 million guaranteed). New York had been eyeing Alex Anzalone in free agency, but his market became too expensive, leading Aaron Glenn to pivot to another one of his former players.

At 37 years old, the ageless wonder Davis is still playing at a very high level, posting a stellar 81.4 PFF grade and an 88.9 PFF run defense grade last season. The Jets desperately needed leadership and stability on defense, and they got just that with Davis, who will likely allow Jamien Sherwood to shift to his natural WILL linebacker position.

David Onyemata, DT

The Jets add another notable piece to their defensive line, signing veteran David Onyemata to a one-year, $10.5 million deal ($9.65 million guaranteed). Onyemata crossed paths with Aaron Glenn in New Orleans and has spoken very highly of him in the past.

The 33-year-old posted an excellent 78.2 PFF grade last season, mostly impressing as a stout run defender. This is yet another run-defending interior lineman the Jets have added, which could call into question the future of Harrison Phillips.

Side note: this is the second Nigerian-born front-seven player the Jets have signed today, along with Joseph Ossai. Kingsley Enagbare is also of Nigerian descent!

Dane Belton, S

The Jets have signed former Giants safety Dane Belton to a one-year, $4 million contract worth up to $6 million, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Hours after adding Minkah Fitzpatrick via trade, the Jets add another safety to their defensive back room.

Consider Belton the new-age Ashtyn Davis for this Jets defense. He's an outstanding tackle (90.6 PFF tackling grade in 2025) who's recorded six interceptions as a part-time safety over the last two years. He also doubles as a core special-teamer, having played 70% of special teams snaps in each of the last three seasons.

Nahshon Wright, CB

The Jets make arguably their best value signing of the offseason, inking 2025 Pro Bowl cornerback Nahshon Wright to a dirt-cheap one-year, $3.5 million contract that could be worth up to $5.5 million with incentives.

Wright broke out with the Bears last season, recording five interceptions and seven PBUs en route to a stunning Pro Bowl selection. He's still inconsistent in coverage and was a Vikings practice squad player at this time a year ago, but this is still phenomenal value for a Jets team that needed defensive playmakers.

Don't be surprised if Wright is the favorite to start over 2025 third-round pick Azareye'h Thomas entering training camp.

Cade York, K

The first nominee for the Jets' Nick Folk replacement is an underwhelming one. Cade York last appeared in an NFL game in 2024, with a brief stint with the Saints last season.

A fourth-round pick of the Browns in the 2022 NFL Draft, York is a career 73% field-goal kicker who lasted just one season in Cleveland a few years back. The Jets will likely bring in competition for York, who will have a chance to win the job this summer.

Dylan Parham, OG

Despite rumors that the Jets would opt for cheap offensive line help, they instead signed former Raiders guard Dylan Parham to a two-year, $16 million contract (worth up to $20 million), landing the Jets one of the best guard options remaining on the market.

Parham is an experienced guard, having started 63 games over the last four seasons in Vegas. At just 26 years old, Parham is an ascending player who posted a 74.3 PFF grade in 2024 and has never finished with a single-season PFF grade below 60.0. The Jets land him on an excellent value deal, too.

Jets re-signings

Jelani Woods, TE

Woods only appeared in four games with the Jets last season, arriving as a waiver-wire pickup before the start of the year. The Frank Reich connection (Woods was a third-round pick of the Colts in 2021) is likely what prompted the Jets to bring him back to compete for a roster spot this summer.

Jowon Briggs, DL

Briggs broke out as one of the lone bright spots of a dismal Jets season in 2025, establishing himself as a core building block of the defense moving forward. He was an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning the Jets could retain him simply by offering a one-year deal at the league minimum, with no opportunity for him to negotiate with other teams.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball, LB

Another exclusive-rights free agent, Marcelino McCrary-Ball was the Jets' special teams captain in 2025, although he appeared in only five games due to injury. He will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot as a special teamer and depth linebacker in training camp.

Andrew Beck, FB

The Jets bring back a player who quietly played an important role on offense last season, inking fullback Andrew Beck to a one-year, fully guaranteed $1.5 million contract. New Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich clearly has plans for Beck in his offense.

The fact that the Jets gave him a guaranteed deal signals that he's viewed internally as someone who will have a role in 2026, both on offense and special teams.

Max Mitchell, OL

The Jets re-sign one of their top backup offensive linemen in Max Mitchell. Mitchell carved out a niche role as the Jets' sixth offensive lineman in 2025, and the current staff seems to like him in that role.

Mitchell offers versatility as both a guard and tackle, and will return for his fifth season with the organization. There's a non-zero chance that he and Garrett Wilson end up as the final surviving members of the team's historic 2022 draft class.

Mykal Walker, LB

The Jets have re-signed linebacker Mykal Walker to a one-year deal, a source tells The Jet Press. Walker played well for the Jets down the stretch in 2025, finishing as PFF’s eighth-highest grade linebacker from Weeks 14-18 (min. 130 snaps).

The 28-year-old was also a core special teamer for Chris Banjo's unit, playing 81% of the Jets' special-teams snaps in the 14 games he appeared in. Walker provides quality linebacker depth to a Jets team that already added Demario Davis.

Xavier Newman, OG

The Jets re-sign an important piece of their offensive line room, bringing back backup guard Xavier Newman. Newman appeared in five games last season, only playing 31 offensive snaps, largely due to the Jets' offensive line health.

Newman has experience playing both guard and center and is quality depth to go along with the recently re-signed Max Mitchell. Expect the Jets to add one or two more players to their offensive line room, either via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jets trades

Jets trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Jets have reportedly traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for star safety Minakh Fitzpatrick. The team will reportedly give him a new three-year, $40 million contract.

Fitzpatrick may be 29 years old, but he's still playing at an incredibly high level, having posted a stellar 81.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025. The move reunites him with Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker and gives the team a playmaker on the back end of their defense.

Fitzpatrick immediately becomes arguably a top-three player on the roster, and the Jets land him for a seventh-round pick due to his expiring contract. Darren Mougey strikes again.

Jets trade for Geno Smith

The Jets have agreed to terms on a trade that will send a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Geno Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Geno has come home.

The Raiders are expected to pay the vast majority of Smith's salary to facilitate the trade, as the Jets will get their QB for a little over the league minimum, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Jets move down from pick No. 208 to 219 in the draft to ensure they land their quarterback.

Jets Departures

John Simpson, OG, Baltimore Ravens - 3 years, $30 million

One potential Jets guard option is down, as the Ravens have signed John Simpson to a three-year, $30 million deal, reuniting the Clemson product with his former team. It's a great deal for Simpson, who lands a contract the Jets were likely never willing to pay.

Simpson took a step back in 2025, who allowed 29 pressures a team-high 10 penalties in 17 games. He's a respected locker-room leader, but the Jets appear to be searching for value deals, and this would not have been one of them.

Expect the Jets to add an interior offensive lineman in free agency, but don't be surprised if it's a lesser-known name.

Nick Folk, K, Atlanta Falcons - 2 years

The Jets were very interested in re-signing Nick Folk for another season, but the Falcons ultimately win out, signing the long-tenured NFL veteran to a reported two-year deal, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Folk has led the NFL in field-goal percentage in each of the last three seasons and was a huge part of the Jets' historic special-teams dominance in 2025. The Jets will now be in the market for a new kicker once again.

Quincy Williams, LB, Cleveland Browns

You just knew Quincy Williams would reunite with one of his former coaches this offseason. But instead of joining Robert Saleh in Tennessee or Jeff Ulbrich in Atlanta, Williams lands in Cleveland, where he will once again be coached by former LBs coach (now Browns defensive coordinator) Mike Rutenberg.

Williams regressed significantly last season, but the Browns hope he can revitalize his career in a familiar defensive scheme. Playing alongside Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger should help with that.

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, New England Patriots

The Jets never seemed to prioritize re-signing Vera-Tucker this offseason, and he ends up in the worst landing spot imaginable, signing a big-money deal with the New England Patriots.

Vera-Tucker's injury history will give some pause, but when healthy, he was arguably the Jets' best offensive lineman. The Jets have now lost both Vera-Tucker and John Simpson in free agency, leaving a notable hole at left guard for the time being.

Micheal Clemons, DE, Indianapolis Colts

Former Jets defensive end Micheal Clemons has reportedly signed a three-year, $17.5 million contract with upside worth up to $18.5 million with the Colts, thus ending his frustrating four-year tenure in Florham Park.

Clemons unsurprisingly had a siable free-agent market, and he lands a good deal here that will pay him close to $6 million per year. NFL teams value experience, and Clemons played a lot of snaps over four seasons with the Jets, even if they weren't always quality snaps.

John Metchie, WR, Carolina Panthers

The Jets had interest in retaining John Metchie even after opting not to tender him as an RFA, but in the end, he signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting him with former Alabama teammate Bryce Young.

Metchie flashed early on after being acquired in a midseason trade, but the former Texans draft pick ran into issues with drops late in the year and was lapped by fellow trade acquisition Adonai Mitchell. If he did return to the Jets, he wouldn't have been guaranteed a roster spot.

Potential departures to watch

Tony Adams, S, UFA

The Jets will likely look to add multiple safeties this offseason, which means Tony Adams has almost certainly played his final Jets game. Expect the team to move on from 2025 stopgap starter Andre Cisco, who is also a free agent.

Justin Fields, QB, Cut Candidate

The Jets will release Justin Fields at some point this offseason — the only question is whether he will be a post-June 1st cut. A post-June 1 release would save the team $10 million in cap space, reducing his dead money impact to $13 million for that year, with an additional $9 million in 2027. A pre-June 1 cut only saves $1 million, but it doesn't push money to the future.

Best targets remaining

Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray might be the top quarterback option on the market this offseason, and the Jets have done their homework on the former No. 1 overall pick, but this feels like a long shot. The leaguewide expectation is that he's headed to Minnesota.

Carson Wentz, QB, Minnesota Vikings

All signs currently point to the Jets reuniting Carson Wentz with former Eagles OC and Colts HC Frank Reich. Wentz is unlikely to be the Jets' only quarterback addition — and it's certainly not a lock — but the belief is that he's Reich's preferred target. The Jets likely won't have much competition in this race.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals (trade candidate)

Jacoby Brissett isn't a free agent, but he remains one of the Jets' likelier quarterback options, depending on what happens with the Cardinals' quarterback situation. If Arizona is willing to move Brissett for a Day 3 pick, expect the Jets to be very interested.

Keep an eye on Malik Willis and/or Jimmy Garoppolo as trigger points for the Cardinals' quarterback room. If either of those players signs with Arizona, the odds of a Brissett trade increase dramatically.

Jaquan Brisker, S, Chicago Bears

Jaquan Brisker is another free-agent safety whose name has been connected to the Jets. Brisker is a physical tone-setter who can play both safety spots, although he's had concussion issues in the past. He did start all 17 games in 2025, however.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, S, Miami Dolphins

A safety with ties to both Aaron Glenn and new defensive coordinator Brian Duker, Melifonwu started eight games for the Dolphins last season and could be an ideal third safety on the Jets' roster. Keep an eye on old friend Ashtyn Davis, who also crossed paths with Duker in Miami, for a similar role.

Kader Kohou, CB, Miami Dolphins

The Jets could also utilize their Brian Duker connections to land a different nickel cornerback who missed all of 2025 due to a torn ACL, Kader Kohou. Kohou started nearly 40 games over three years in Miami and was viewed internally as the Dolphins' No. 1 cornerback entering last season.

Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE, Detroit Lions

The Jets created a hole at edge rusher by trading away Jermaine Johnson, and they will need more than the No. 2 overall pick to address this roster need. Al-Quadin Muhammad is coming off a career-best 11-sack season as a rotational rusher and has ties to both Aaron Glenn (Detroit and New Orleans) and Frank Reich (Indianapolis).

Da'Shawn Hand, DL, Los Angeles Chargers

One of the lower-profile free-agent defensive linemen who could make sense for the Jets is Da'Shawn Hand. The veteran Alabama product crossed paths with Aaron Glenn in Detroit and Brian Duker in Miami and has spent his entire career as a rotational 3-4 defensive end.

Tim Patrick, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Don't expect the Jets to be shopping around the top of the wide receiver market in free agency. Tim Patrick was a popular Jets target last offseason due to his connections to both Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, and he once again makes sense as a Tier 3 depth receiver addition.

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