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. Potential departures to watch
5. Best targets remaining
6. More free agency coverage

Free-agency snapshot

• Cap space remaining: $73,886,113 (per Over the Cap)
• Biggest signing: Breece Hall (transition tag)
• Biggest departure: Jermaine Johnson (via trade w/TEN)
• Most surprising move: TBD
• Biggest remaining needs: QB, S, EDGE, LB, WR, iOL
• Last updated: 7:00 am. ET, March 7, 2026

The Jets will begin 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

• TBD

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.

Potential departures to watch

Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, UFA

The Jets' most high-profile pending free agent, Alijah Vera-Tucker is expected to have a sizable market despite his lengthy injury history. The Jets will keep tabs on his status, but this situation appears to be trending in the direction of him departing this offseason.

John Simpson, OG, UFA

Veteran guard John Simpson is another interesting case study for how the Jets plan to address their offensive line in free agency. Right now, Simpson also appears to be trending in the same direction as Vera-Tucker, but it's possible he could still be brought back for the right price.

Quincy Williams, LB, UFA

The Jets will not be re-signing Quincy Williams, and it's safe to say they likely regret passing on trade offers at the deadline last year. Look for Williams to possibly reunite with one of his former coaches, whether that's Robert Saleh in Tennessee, Jeff Ulbrich in Atlanta, or Mike Rutenberg in Cleveland.

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.

Micheal Clemons, DE, UFA

Don't be surprised if Micheal Clemons receives a larger contract in free agency than most Jets fans probably expect, but it won't be from the Jets. The expected switch to more of a 3-4 defensive scheme makes him even less of a fit.

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.

Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Geno Smith (yes, really) remains one of the most appealing and realistic quarterback targets for the Jets. Reports suggest Smith might prefer a Miami landing spot, but the Jets remain very involved in his market. This is one that really could happen.

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.

Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit Lions

The worst-kept secret of Jets free agency has been the team's pursuit of Alex Anzalone. The longtime Aaron Glenn favorite figures to be one of the Jets' top targets, but his market could price them out.

Micah McFadden, LB, New York Giants

A fallback option for Anzalone appears to be Giants linebacker Micah McFadden. McFadden played just one game for the Giants in 2025 due to a foot injury, but he's an ascending young MIKE linebacker who's just 26 years old.

Bobby Okereke, LB, New York Giants

Recently released by the Giants, Bobby Okereke could make sense if the Jets are unable to land Anzalone or McFadden. Okereke crossed paths with Frank Reich in Indianapolis and would give the Jets an experienced MIKE linebacker, allowing the team to shift Jamien Sherwood over to his natural WILL position.

Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Leo Chenal is the perceived top linebacker on the open market this offseason, but I wouldn't expect the Jets to get involved. Chenal is exactly the type of physical force the Jets could use in the middle of their defense, but his market will likely be too pricey for Darren Mougey.

Nick Cross, S, Indianapolis Colts

A third-round pick of Frank Reich's Colts in 2022, Nick Cross is still just 24 years old and is one of the more unheralded options in a loaded free-agent safety class. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt has mentioned Cross as an expected Jets target.

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.

Bryan Cook, S, Kansas City Chiefs

There's a good chance Bryan Cook receives the most money of any free-agent safety this year. He's an ascending young player coming off a career year and has experience playing for a winning franchise, but his market might be too fierce for the Jets to compete.

Jaylinn Hawkins, S, New England Patriots

Another free-agent safety coming off the best season of his career is Jaylinn Hawkins. He resurrected his career in New England but is a bit older than some of the other free agents at his position (he turns 29 in August). Still, the Jets might be interested.

Amik Robertson, CB, Detroit Lions

The Jets are unlikely to make a major investment at cornerback this offseason, but if they want to bring in competition for Jarvis Brownlee Jr. at nickel, Amik Robertson is a longtime Aaron Glenn favorite who can bring toughness and a competitive edge to the Jets' defense.

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.

Zion Johnson, OG, Los Angeles Chargers

With Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson trending toward leaving, the Jets will have a hole to fill at left guard. Zion Johnson appears to be a player the Jets are eyeing, and at 26 years old and coming off a career-best season, he makes sense as a mid-tier free agent to gamble on.

Isaac Seumalo, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers

If the Jets are looking for a pricer veteran guard option, they could take a look at Isaac Seumalo. The 32-year-old has started over 100 career NFL games, most recently with the Steelers over the last three seasons, where he was named a Pro Bowler in 2024.

David Edwards, OG, Buffalo BIlls

Another higher-end guard available on the open market is fellow AFC East representative David Edwards. Edwards signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Bills two offseasons ago — expect him to receive a larger payday this time around.

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Baltimore Ravens

Arguably the top overall player in free agency this year, Tyler Linderbaum is expected to shatter the center market. The Jets are unlikely to be shopping in the Linderbaum aisle of free agency, so I would consider this more of a pipe dream at this stage. In short: it's not happening (keep an eye on the Giants, though).

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).

Kwity Pate, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts

A first-round pick of the Colts in 2021, Kwity Paye has never quite lived up to expectations, but he's settled in as a solid edge defender. He will likely get a bit overpaid on the open market, which makes it less likely the Jets are the team to pounce, but there is the Frank Reich connection.

Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers

If the Jets want to make a big free-agent splash on defense, Odafe Oweh might be their guy. Oweh recorded 7.5 sacks in just 12 games after being traded to the Chargers last season and is one of the top edge rushers on the market. This feels a little pricey for the Jets, though.

John Franklin-Myers, DL, Denver Broncos

A John Franklin-Myers reunion seems unlikely, but there's no denying he'd be a perfect fit in the Jets' new-look defense. Unfortunately, it seems more realistic that he reunites with Robert Saleh in Tennessee at this stage. Expet Franklin-Myers to receive a hefty contract, perhaps up to $20 million AAV.

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.

Javon Hargrave, DL, Minnesota Vikings

The Jets could still use a twitched-up interior rusher to complete their new starting defensive line, and the recently released Javon Hargrave would be a perfect target. Hargrave was coached by new Jets DL coach Karl Dunbar in Pittsburgh and is still an effective pass rusher, even at 33 years old.

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.

Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings

A more exciting Tier 2/3 wide receiver addition could be Jalen Nailor, although that depends on his contract projection in an exploding wide receiver market. Nailor would be a quality WR3/WR4, while the Jets could look to address WR2 in the draft or via a trade (Brian Thomas Jr.?).

More free agency coverage