Jets' offense perfectly positioned for 2027 explosion after years of struggle

The New York Jets are building an offense that can be sustainable and cost-effective beyond the 2026 NFL season, and that plan is starting to come to fruition as Darren Mougey continues to make some big-name additions in the NFL Draft.

The Jets have the second-cheapest offense in the NFL at $97 million, with only the division rival Miami Dolphins ranking below them. For the sake of comparison, the third-cheapest offense belongs to the Baltimore Ravens at $124 million, and the most expensive is the Los Angeles Rams at over $200 million.

Everyone in the first-team offense except starting quarterback Geno Smith, who was brought in to be a one-year stopgap after the Justin Fields mistake, is under contract for the 2027 season as well. Ideally, an NFL GM wants a very effective, very cheap offense, and the Jets may build just that.

New York Jets have league's second-cheapest offense almost all under contract through 2027

The Jets' entire starting offensive line could return in 2027. With Joe Tippmann recently extended, Olu Fashanu working his way toward a possible long-term deal, and Armand Membou continuing to develop into a star, the Jets should have one of the most feared and consistent units in the NFL.

After years of subpar skill position players, the Jets are now faced with the problem of figuring out how to get all of their pass-catchers on the field at one time. Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq will split time at tight end, and Omar Cooper Jr. and Adonai Mitchell will take some of the pressure off Garrett Wilson. That's a change from 2025, where Wilson was the only receiver that opposing defenses would need to commit any interest to.

The big question, namely the one that is going to determine much of their success in the 2026 season, is Smith and his level of quality. Having all of these quality role players, yet lacking the leader who can distribute the ball accurately and on time, might be a very frustrating exercise for Jets fans. Perhaps another young quarterback might be what makes this unit really start to take off.

If the Jets decide to take a young quarterback in 2027, which is seemingly going to happen irrespective of how well Smith ends up playing this season, that hypothetical player will step into an above-average situation for the first time in what feels like forever. That's a welcome change from past years.

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