Jets' UDFA running back could spell doom for Kene Nwangwu

The New York Jets seem to have their running back room set heading into the 2026 season, despite some uncertainty about the long-term future of some of its players.

Breece Hall, as every fan knows, is set to play on the franchise tag next season. It remains to be seen if the starting running back and New York's front office can come to terms on a long-term extension.

2024 fourth and fifth-round picks, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, are solid change-of-pace backs. There's certainly some concern around Allen, given his rough knee injury last season, but he's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for offseason activities.

The Jets' fourth running back, Kene Nwangwu, is less of a true running back and more of a return specialist, and a great one at that. New York re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason.

But Nwangwu's job may not be safe, considering one undrafted free agent the Jets signed shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft.

UDFA RB Chip Trayanum could be gunning for Kene Nwangwu's job

Jets' undrafted free agent running back Chip Trayanum was named as a player to watch by The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner due to the fact that he could carve out a role for himself in training camp.

More specifically, Nwangwu's role as New York's primary kick returner.

"A former two-way player (linebacker and running back) at Ohio State, Trayanum (5-10, 224) is a terrific athlete who spent several years trying to find his best spot on the field. He broke through with a 1,015-yard season at Toledo last year and could be a real factor on special teams at some point."

Nick Baumgardner

After bouncing around a couple of positions and programs, including Arizona State, Ohio State, and Kentucky, Trayanum wrapped up his college career at Toledo in 2025 as the featured back.

While he may not be able to play a main role on an NFL offense, being a return specialist could be in the cards.

While Nwangwu is a former All-Pro and has returned five kicks for touchdowns throughout his professional career, he can never manage to stay healthy for a full season.

In two seasons with the Jets, he's appeared in 14 of 34 possible games, a poor mark for an otherwise incredibly talented player.

If Trayanum can prove to the coaching staff that he's a more than capable returner, it could spell the end for Nwangwu's time in New York.

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