Jets' Jack Campbell dream may come true as Lions set up 2027 free agent frenzy

The New York Jets have positioned themselves to go nuts in the 2027 offseason. With three first-round picks and nine figures of projected cap space, this team can be in the market for stars like Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell.

Campbell, who was recently named a first-team All-Pro with the Lions last offseason, will be a free agent after this season if Brad Holmes can't work a deal out with him. Holmes declined his fifth-year option, which would have paid him an obscene $22 million due to the NFL foolishly grouping OLB and ILB as one position.

While the Jets managed to add talent at almost all of their positions of need, their decision to take David Bailey at No. 2 overall instead of Arvell Reese has left inside linebacker as a clear hole. Jamien Sherwood is fresh off a terrible 2025 season, and Demario Davis is 37 years old.

Campbell would be one of the most seismic Jets free agent acquisitions in years if they pull this signing off, and Glenn would likely jump at the chance to reunite with someone who was integral to making his defense work in Detroit.

Jets may eye Jack Campbell in 2027 free agency after Lions decline option

Campbell ranked second among all linebackers in the eyes of Pro Football Focus, excelling as both a run-stuffer and in coverage. After years of either San Francisco's Fred Warner or Baltimore's Roquan Smith dominating the linebacker awards, Campbell might be ready to break up the duopoly.

The Lions have already paid their quarterback handsomely with the Jared Goff contract, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs is likely to get a new deal as well. Detroit is suddenly finding it hard to find the money needed to pay Campbell, and that could lead to him hitting the open market.

Not only does Campbell give the Jets a Jamien Sherwood upgrade and a player who may immediately be the best player on the roster, but he could help them possibly transition to a post-Davis era. Going to a defense coached by his old DC in Glenn may be very attractive.

If Glenn sticks around for 2027, which is likely only happening if the Jets show they can be a fringe playoff team with better quarterback play, Campbell is the type of player that could take this defense from good to great and change their playoff calculus.

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