New York has a plan.

A plan that might finally put an end to their decades-long suffering.

When New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn sat at the media table for his Annual League Meeting session in Arizona on Tuesday, he knew he would be asked a diverse set of questions.

Instead of shooting those questions down, though, Glenn offered a unique look into the organization’s mindset weeks ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

While no decisions have been formally made at this time, the Jets may have hinted at what they plan to do early in the draft.

The Jets’ draft plans

At the start of the offseason, the Jets knew they needed to add talent across the board. That’s precisely what they did by spending over $40 million free agents and trade acquisitions.

All of it pleased Glenn so much that the coach was thrilled to see reporters on Tuesday.

“Everything that was done was intentional,” Glenn said about the team’s offseason. “Our process, from the end of the season to now…we’re still a long way away, but the process of what we wanted to do, you could see it. I’m excited.”

The draft, though, poses a different challenge for Gang Green. New York owns four picks inside the top 50 overall selections in what is considered a good — but not great — crop of rookies.

Even so, the Jets are in a position with the second and 16th overall picks to grab not only the best non-quarterback in the draft, but a top blue-chip talent as well.

For Glenn, the 53-year-old coach, getting their first-round picks “right” this year is important. More to the point, he teased what his focus will be when New York makes its first selection.

When asked about his 2026 defensive scheme — particularly if it’s transitioning into more of a 3-4 — the coach didn’t sugarcoat an answer:

“You hear it a lot: We will be a multiple defense,” Glenn said. “There will be elements of 4-3 and elements of 3-4. The way I look at it, you’re going to be in nickel 70 percent of the time. You’ll see some four down front and five down front. I don’t want to sit here and say exactly who we’re going to be because we’re going to be a little bit of everything.”

Fans may not believe that Glenn tipped the hand of the Jets’ draft plans, but that’s kind of exactly what he did.

There are only a couple of players in this draft on defense who can play multiple positions at a high level: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Arvell Reese. New York, needing a top pass rusher and front-seven defender, seems more likely than ever to target Reese with the second pick now.

It’s not just because he’s a player with tremendous upside; it’s also because of his overall football ability right now. In fact, some would label it malpractice to bypass Reese for another prospect (David Bailey).

This is even more so the case because he’s the perfect player to fit in Glenn’s “multiple” defense.

Best quarterback available?

Another option for the Jets is to target a quarterback early in this year’s process. New York will be trusting Geno Smith to take them to the “promised land,” but they don’t have a long-term plan at the position.

Don’t bet on that change in the draft, though.

Outside of Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman-winning National Champion out of Indiana, there is no clear-cut franchise quarterback in the class. If New York were going to draft one, they would know they would be taking in a project at best…

Even for the rights to Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson.

Some Jets fans are concerned the Jets could get desperate and draft Simpson earlier than expected because of his upside and the team’s need for a signal-caller to develop.

Glenn poured cold water all over that theory, though, on Tuesday.

“You always want to build your roster with good players,” Glenn said. “If we feel like he’s the best player available on our board, that’s the guy who we’re going to draft. The thing is, we’re not trying to reach and grab guys who aren’t the best player available.”

Aaron Glenn on the possibility of the Jets drafting a QB in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, with Ty Simpson brought up as an option:

“If we feel like he’s the best player on the board, that’s who we draft – we’re not trying to reach and grab for guys” pic.twitter.com/5zW1KdFAtZ

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) March 31, 2026

New York’s “not reaching” for players not high on their board suggests the team won’t simply take Ty Simpson because they need a quarterback. As has been the case all offseason, if the Jets love the signal-caller, they’ll do whatever they can to get him.

If not, they are more than happy to punt that decision to 2027.

Whether Glenn planned it or not, the Jets opened the curtain a lot more than people expected about their 2026 draft plans.

The only question is whether the New York Jets’ hopes come true and whether each player selected can help turn the tide for the organization next season.