Jets' free agent signing tabbed as breakout candidate entering 2026

The New York Jets entered free agency with a plan, and they achieved it. Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn set out to find veteran talent that would help raise the floor of their defense, and they got it.

Linebacker Demario Davis was signed to a two-year deal, defensive linemen David Onyemata and Kingsley Enagbare were given one-year pacts, along with a handful of other defensive backs. The only player to get a three-year deal on the open market is former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Joseph Ossai.

Ossai, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, got more opportunities the last two seasons thanks to injuries to Trey Hendrickson and the retirement of Sam Hubbard. It led to increased production, allowing him to cash in on a three-year, $34.5 million deal in free agency.

The former Bengal is now penciled in as the other starter opposite Will McDonald IV, and he could be primed for a major season.

Jets edge Joseph Ossai tabbed as breakout candidate entering 2026

Bleacher Report's Moe Moton believes Ossai could break out in 2026, thanks to his expanded role as a starter on the Jets' defense.

"Ossai has recorded five sacks in back-to-back terms. Last season, he registered a career-high nine tackles for loss while on the field for 67 percent of the defensive snaps. Because of Hendrickson's injuries and Shemar Stewart's delayed career start because of a holdout, the 25-year-old started to translate more of his potential into production."

Moe Moton

Ossai has proven to be a relatively productive pass rusher, despite only recording five sacks last season with the Bengals. According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded 43 pressures, which ranked 42nd of 115 qualified edge rushers.

Just because Ossai wasn't getting home doesn't mean he wasn't disrupting opposing quarterbacks, and that's exactly what the Jets have brought him in to do.

Now, it is possible that Ossai's role won't be as large as expected heading into 2026. New York, armed with the No. 2 overall pick, is widely expected to take a pass rusher. Someone like Ohio State's Arvell Reese could totally eat into Ossai's snaps.

But either way, he'll at minimum play a rotational role on the Jets defense, and should have plenty of opportunities to chase down quarterbacks donning the Green & White.