Jets winners and losers after Aaron Glenn remakes roster in 2026 offseason

The New York Jets may not be in line to win a ton of games in 2026, but Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey finally have the arrow pointing upward.

A strong 2026 NFL Draft class and a collection of veterans who could be impactful arriving in free agency have this team much more well-positioned to make some noise than in the travesty that was 2025.

As the offseason hits a slow period, certain Jets are riding high, while some are in the dumps due to these moves.

Winners and Losers after Jets' big offseason moves

Winner: WR Garrett Wilson

Wilson is no longer the one bastion of competence in the pass-catcher stable. The additions of Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. in the first round, to go along with Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, can be such a lethal quartet that Jets fans will finally get to debate the best way to split up targets. In past years, it was Garrett or nothing.

Loser: Darren Mougey's 2025 Day 3 Picks

Mougey appears to have made some solid value picks on Day 3 of the 2026 Draft, which is needed after his late-round picks in 2025 looked like duds. Only Malachi Moore is in line to play a somewhat meaty role in this defense. Arian Smith may be relegated to special teams, Kiko Mauigoa is firmly a backup, and Tyler Baron's path to the 53-man roster seems arduous.

Winner: QB Geno Smith

Smith could be washed, which could set the Jets up for failure in 2026. However, his situation is much better than what he had with the Las Vegas Raiders. With multiple young pass-catchers, an experienced offensive coordinator, and a much more stout offensive line, the ingredients for a Geno renaissance are there.

Loser: CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

Brownlee put together some solid games and brought great energy, but the Jets weren't convinced he could be a long-term starter. Not only did they bring in Nahshon Wright to compete with Azareye'h Thomas and limit Brownlee's non-nickel snaps, but selecting D'Angelo Ponds in the second round gives the Jets an immediate upgrade on the inside.

Winner: HC Aaron Glenn

Glenn needs to get this defense cooking if he wants to retain his job in 2027. With No. 2 pick David Bailey joining free agent acquisitions Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, and veterans like Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick arriving, Glenn now has a veteran defense with oodles of talent he should get some production out of.

Loser: The Tank for Arch Crowd

The Jets will likely not be very good in 2026, but fans hoping they bottom out in pursuit of a quarterback may be left disappointed. If Smith has some juice left in the tank and Frank Reich is not a dinosaur, this team could punch well above its weight class.

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