SW: After the Jets struggled to generate takeaways during the 2025 season, GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn addressed the issue early in the offseason by bringing in some new faces. S Minkah Fitzpatrick, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, was acquired by the team in a trade with the Dolphins and will reunite with DC Brian Duker, who was the defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach in Miami. Fitzpatrick has recorded 28 takeaways during his eight years in the league and led the NFL with 6 INTs in 2022. The Jets also signed free agent CB Nahshon Wright, who led the NFL in takeaways (8) during his 2025 campaign with the Bears. S Dane Belton, who has recorded 10 career takeaways, came across town from the Giants after spending four seasons with the team. The group also includes plenty of returners, including S Andre Cisco, a New York native who re-signed with the Green & White. With Glenn — a former DB and three-time Pro Bowler — set to call defensive plays, this group will be well positioned to take a step forward in 2026.
JB: The obvious answer is on the defense, adding LB Demario Davis, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB Nahshon Wright, DT T’Vondre Sweat, DT David Onyemata and edges Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. That, for sure, is an impressive list that will be added to in the coming NFL Draft. But I’ll go with a single player: QB Geno Smith. Yeah, I know, I know … most analysts and observes view Smith, 35, in his return to the team that drafted him in the second round in 2013, as a bridge QB as the organization looks ahead to using its three first-round selections in the 2027 to land a potential franchise QB. But after two seasons with the Jets and then another seven basically in the QB wilderness, Smith overcame his limitations, soaked up all the knowledge he could and transformed himself into the NFL Comeback Player of the Year with Seattle in 2022. Yes, he had a down year with Las Vegas last season, but so did the entire Raiders team. As Smith said recently, the quarterback is only one of 11 players. Now, on a Jets offense that is certain to get reinforcements in the draft, boasts a solid offensive line and potential gamebreakers like WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall, Smith could be the rising tide that raises all boats.