Jets offseason wishlist just took a major hit as a top target is now off the board

The New York Jets are expected to be among the most active spenders in free agency this offseason. With upward of $120 million in cap space, general manager Darren Mougey is poised to be far more aggressive on the open market than he was in his first offseason with the organization.

Of course, for the Jets to spend that money, there needs to be worthwhile players available. Unfortunately for the Jets, one of their potential top offseason targets is now officially off the board.

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms on a three-year, $40.5 million extension with standout defensive tackle Travis Jones on Thursday. Jones was expected to be one of the top names on the market and would have been an obvious target for the Jets.

Instead, the 26-year-old inked a new deal in Baltimore, offering a cruel reminder that good young players rarely reach free agency. Building through free agency, even with a ton of cap space, is always easier said than done.

Jets won't have the opportunity to sign Travis Jones in free agency

A third-round pick of the Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones has quietly developed into one of the better young nose tackles in football over the last few years. He's spent the last two seasons as a starter, helping solidify the middle of Baltimore's defensive line.

Jones has posted three consecutive seasons with a Pro Football Focus grade north of 70.0 and is in the midst of the best season of his career. In 12 starts, Jones has racked up 27 pressures and 21 run stops, earning a career-best 74.5 PFF grade while missing just 5.7% of his tackle attempts. He's also added two sacks and a forced fumble.

The Jets will likely be looking to add some players to their defensive line room this offseason, especially after trading away Quinnen Williams at the deadline. At just 26 years old, Jones would have been an ideal target.

The Jets really like their interior duo of Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, who have both impressed and exceeded expectations in 2025, but the depth behind them is nonexistent, and both might be better as rotational pieces.

Jones would have given the Jets a younger, better version of Phillips, who would ideally replace him once the veteran's contract expired after the 2026 season. The Jets could also move on from Phillips this offseason with $0 in dead cap.

The more optimistic Jets fans might view the Jones extension as opening a door for another pending Ravens free agent, Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, to actually reach the market.

If Linderbaum were to shake free, he’d instantly become one of the best players available in free agency and a clear top target for the Jets. That scenario, however, still feels unlikely.

Regardless, the Jets will have to search elsewhere for defensive line reinforcements this offseason. Perhaps their best intriguing target is officially no longer an option.