Jets prioritizing obvious weakness with reported free agent signings

You may have heard that the New York Jets made history this past season by becoming the first team in the modern era to go the entire year without recording a single interception.

In 17 games, the Jets never hauled in a batted ball, a desperation heave, or even got lucky enough to be on the beneficial end of a tipped pass. There's no way it could happen two seasons in a row, right?

Well, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey aren't going to wait around to find out, because they've been meticulous in targeting players in the initial wave of free agency who have a history of creating turnovers, whether that be interceptions or fumbles.

Hopefully, the new defenders, along with Glenn's hands-on approach to the defense, will flip the turnover problem on its head in 2026.

Jets prioritizing defensive playmakers with initial free agent targets

On Day 1 of the legal tampering period, the Jets went out and agreed to terms with former New York Giants safety Dane Belton on a one-year deal. The former fourth-round pick isn't necessarily known as a starting-caliber NFL player, but it can't be denied that he has a knack for creating takeaways.

Over his four-year career, he's created 10 turnovers, including six interceptions and four forced fumbles. It remains unclear if he has one of the starting safety jobs, but he'll surely compete with 2025 fourth-round pick Malachi Moore.

Shortly after the Geno Smith trade was official, it was reported that the Jets had agreed to terms with former Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. If there's a cornerback that was a ballhawk in 2025, it was Wright.

In his fifth season in the NFL, the former Dallas Cowboys draft pick was tied for first among cornerbacks with five interceptions, earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career. He also chipped in two forced fumbles for good measure.

Neither Belton nor Wright is guaranteed to be a starter. They'll have to compete to earn their spots with players entering the second year of their careers. But one player who doesn't have to earn a starting gig is new safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick wasn't a free agent acquisition, but a new addition nonetheless. He hasn't been the turnover machine he was to start his NFL career; he's only recorded two interceptions in the last two seasons. But the three-time All-Pro still has a history of generating turnovers.

Since 2018, the former first-round pick is tied for seventh-most interceptions in the league with 21, and figures to play a massive role in manning the backend of the Jets defense.

Hopefully, all three new additions will have a role in breaking the NFL's longest streak without an interception.