Jets may have several players entering a make or break summer

The New York Jets are placing a ton of stock in their new offseason acquisitions, as many of the moves they made in the 2026 NFL offseason were done with the express purpose of trying to ensure Aaron Glenn and company win enough to keep their jobs in 2027.

The new additions have put many of the holdovers from the last few years in an incredibly difficult position, as they could be one or two poor OTA showings away from falling on the depth chart and starting 2026 off as poorly as possible.

These 5 players stand out above the rest as players who need to crush it over the summer, lest their spots in the starting lineup ebb away.

5 Jets players entering a make or break summer in 2026

5. S Andre Cisco

Cisco is in a three-way battle with Malachi Moore and Dane Belton for the second starting safety spot next to Minkah Fitzpatrick. If Cisco finds himself incapable of beating out either of those players, it'll be hard to envision a world in which he can latch on with a team in 2027.

4. WR Adonai Mitchell

Mitchell has been on fire in OTAs, and that's good news, because if he found himself lower on the depth chart, his career might be on thin ice. Three straight seasons of middling production might be it for Mitchell in New York, especially after the Jets drafted a receiver in Omar Cooper Jr. weeks ago.

3. CB Azareye'h Thomas

Like Mitchell, Thomas is likely in a position where the Jets hope he wins a starting role in his offseason competition with free agent Nahshon Wright. With Wright out in front to start at OTAs and making some plays, Thomas may find himself as a seldom-used backup after the Jets thinned their cornerback ranks by trading Sauce Gardner.

2. EDGE Will McDonald

McDonald is a well-known quantity, as his abysmal run defense is often counteracted with some productive pass rush reps. McDonald may be looking for a new contract, but with the Jets adding David Bailey in the NFL Draft and multiple vets in free agency, they have the ability to let him go if he starts to flatline or regress.

1. QB Geno Smith

This is the last house on the block for Smith as an NFL starter. If he looks like Seahawks Geno, he could lead the Jets to a surprising 2026 season. If he looks like Raiders Geno, both he and Aaron Glenn will be unlikely to return in 2027.

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