One thought on all 28 pending NY Jets free agents in 2025

The NY Jets are expected to undergo significant roster turnover in the first year of the Aaron Glenn era this offseason. The team will have to make a decision on 28 different internal free agents, and the expectation is that many will not be back in 2025.

Of those 28 players, 23 are unrestricted free agents, meaning they are free to sign with any team upon the start of the new league year on Mar. 12. The Jets also have two restricted free agents and three exclusive-rights free agents.

Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players whose contracts have expired but who have not yet accrued enough experience to qualify as unrestricted. This gives the Jets the right to match any offer these players receive from another team or, in some cases, collect compensation if they decide not to match.

Exclusive-rights free agents (ERFAs) are even more limited — if the Jets offer them a one-year contract at the league minimum, they cannot negotiate with other teams, effectively binding them to the team.

Which free agents will the Jets re-sign? Which have played their final game with the team? Here's a quick thought on every internal Jets free agent.

Full list of 2025 NY Jets unrestricted free agents

1. Chuck Clark, SAF

Chuck Clark returned from injury in 2024 and was arguably the team's best safety. Clark was a sure tackler and rock-solid run defender, although his coverage woes proved to be an issue. The Jets could bring Clark back on another cheap, short-term deal if they want a stable veteran presence in their safety room.

2. Tyler Conklin, TE

The Tyler Conklin breakout season didn't happen in 2024. Despite an upgrade in quarterback play, Conklin was often an afterthought in the Jets' offense, finishing with just 51 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns — statistically his worst season with the team.

Conklin has been a serviceable starting tight end over the last three years, but he's a poor blocker and not a very dynamic receiver. The Jets should and likely will reshape their tight end room this offseason.

3. Ashtyn Davis, SAF

One of the longest-tenured players on the Jets' roster, Ashtyn Davis has spent half a decade with the organization, although he's never become more than a part-time player. With Robert Saleh — and more importantly Brant Boyer — gone, it's likely the Jets will move on this offseason.

4. Jamin Davis, LB

The Jets claimed Jamin Davis, a 2021 first-round pick, off waivers on Dec. 31, although he never appeared in a game with the team. He crossed over with new defensive backs/pass game coordinator Chris Harris in Washington, so maybe the Jets bring him back to compete for a roster spot.

5. Brandin Echols, CB

Brandin Echols has always had a nose for the football and has performed well in spot-starting opportunities with the Jets. Is that enough for the team to consider him for a full-time starting job in 2025? It's unlikely, but it can't be ruled out if the team doesn't make any major cornerback additions in free agency.

6. Sam Eguavoen, LB

Sam Eguavoen has quietly appeared in 32 games for the Jets over the last two years and even received some playing time on defense last season as a third linebacker. With the Jets overhauling their special-teams coaching staff, a regular like Eguavoen is far from a lock to return.

7. Leki Fotu, DT

The Jets signed Leki Fotu to be a traditional run-stuffing nose tackle last offseason. Fotu played just two games as a result of multiple injuries and graded out poorly in both. Don't expect him to return in 2025.

8. Jake Hanson, OG

With the Jets looking to bolster their offensive line depth this offseason, there's a good chance they decide to move on from Jake Hanson. Hanson offers guard/center versatility and has quietly been adequate in limited opportunities, but he's a fringe 53-man roster player. The Jets can probably do better.

9. Greg Joseph, K

Greg Joseph made all three of his extra-point attempts and a 20-yard field goal in the Jets' season finale against the Miami Dolphins last month. The Jets need a new kicker, but it's possible they re-sign Joseph to compete for the job this summer.

10. Javon Kinlaw, DT

The Jets signed Javon Kinlaw at the behest of former head coach Robert Saleh with the hope that he could prove to be reliable defensive tackle depth alongside Quinnen Williams. Instead, he was a major liability in run defense and offered little as a pass rusher. He won't be back.

11. Jalen Mills, SAF

Jalen Mills is subtly one of the better midseason additions the Jets have made in recent years. Mills signed with the team in late September and was already breaking down pre-game team huddles less than two weeks into his tenure.

Mills' performance on the field was subpar for a starting-caliber safety, but he's a versatile, experienced defensive back who is the type of character you want in your locker room. I wouldn't be surprised if Glenn and the Jets looked to bring him back.

12. Morgan Moses, OT

Morgan Moses is still a quality starting right tackle and the exact type of veteran presence the Jets should look to keep around. Unfortunately, recent reports suggest Moses is unlikely to return in 2025, meaning the team might be looking for a new right tackle.

Moses can still play and would be an ideal bridge starter to pair with a rookie developmental project behind him. It takes two to tango, though, and Moses might prefer to play for a contender.

13. Kene Nwangwu, RB/KR

Kene Nwangwu played in just two games for the Jets in 2024, but he made the most of his limited opportunities, returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in his first game. A former All-Pro return specialist, it wouldn't hurt to bring him back to compete for a roster spot in 2025.

14. Isaiah Oliver, DB

Isaiah Oliver was legitimately one of the Jets' best free-agent signings last offseason. Converted to safety in the offseason, Oliver would spend a majority of the year playing nickel cornerback due to a nagging injury to Michael Carter II.

Oliver finished with the lowest missed-tackle rate on the Jets' defense (8.3%) and was solid in both run defense and coverage. He's earned another opportunity in 2025, but a new regime coming in doesn't bode well for his chances of returning.

15. Haason Reddick, DE

The Haason Reddick trade was a complete and utter disaster. Reddick appeared in just 10 games and was statistically one of the least productive pass rushers in the NFL. He will not return in 2025.

16. D.J. Reed, CB

Perhaps the Jets' most high-profile free agent, the writing has been on the wall for D.J. Reed's departure since at least the summer. The Jets have already invested a ton into the cornerback position, and Reed will likely command top dollar on the open market.

Reed will not be back with the Jets next season — and he seems acutely aware of that.

17. Wes Schweitzer, OG/C

Wes Schweitzer offers quality interior offensive line depth with guard/center versatility. The issue is he just can't seem to stay healthy. Schweitzer played just four games in 2024, spending most of the year on the injured reserve. The Jets should find more reliable interior depth this offseason.

18. Kendall Sheffield, CB

Kendall Sheffield signed with the Jets in the summer and spent most of the year on the practice squad. He received some playing time at nickel cornerback following a slew of injuries, but he's little more than a fringe roster player. I wouldn't count on a return.

19. Jamien Sherwood, LB

Jamien Sherwood might be the Jets' biggest internal priority this free agency. Sherwood broke out as a full-time starter in 2024, receiving All-Pro votes and establishing himself as one of the best players on the Jets' defense.

At just 25 years old, Sherwood is an ascending talent who the Jets should absolutely look to re-sign. The issue is he won't come cheap, a Quincy Williams extension is looming, and he will have suitors, most notably in the form of the Atlanta Falcons (Jeff Ulbrich/Mike Rutenberg) and San Francisco 49ers (Robert Saleh).

20. Tyron Smith, OT

The Tyron Smith signing was a bust. It made sense at the time for the Jets to sign a future Hall of Fame left tackle who was still playing at an All-Pro level, but Smith underperformed in 2024 and eventually landed on the injured reserve. He's a likely candidate for retirement.

21. Malik Taylor, WR

Malik Taylor made a strong push for a roster spot in the summer before suffering an injury that would land him on injured reserve for the season. Given that he turns 30 before the end of next season and no longer has ties to the coaching staff, it's safe to say he's probably a goner.

22. Solomon Thomas, DT

Solomon Thomas is beloved in the Jets locker room and was a personal favorite of Robert Saleh, but with Saleh now gone, I'd expect Thomas to follow him out the door. The Jets need to improve their defensive line depth this offseason.

23. Kenny Yeboah, TE

Kenny Yeboah has managed to last four seasons with the Jets after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He's had his moments and was a favorite of Brant Boyer, but with the Jets reshaping their tight end room this offseason, he's probably going to be looking for a new home.

Full list of 2025 NY Jets restricted free agents

24. Tony Adams, SAF

A right of first refusal RFA tag would cost the Jets a little over $3.2 million, which feels like decent value for a young safety like Tony Adams. Unprompted Woody Johnson benching aside, Adams was a starting-caliber player for the Jets in 2024 and could be a starting option next season if the Jets are looking to go cheap at the position again.

25. Chazz Surratt, LB

$3.2 million feels a bit pricey for a special-teams linebacker like Chazz Surratt. Surratt was a favorite of the previous coaching staff, but with a new regime in place, it's unlikely the Jets decide to tender his contract.

Full list of 2025 NY Jets exclusive-rights free agents

26. Irvin Charles, WR/ST

There's really no downside to signing an exclusive-rights free agent, as all ERFA tenders are at the veteran's minimum for each player's experience level. Irvin Charles is a standout special teamer, although a torn ACL he suffered in December last year could affect his future with the team.

27. Bruce Hector, DT

Bruce Hector has had three different stints on the Jets' practice squad and was signed partially due to his connection to Joe Douglas, dating back to their Eagles days together. With Douglas gone, it doesn't make much sense to bring back a 30-year-old practice squad defensive tackle, even on a minimum contract.

28. Xavier Newman, C/OG

Xavier Newman has provided adequate depth for the Jets' interior offensive line over the last two seasons. He's worth bringing back on a minimum contract to compete for a roster spot in the summer.