The NFL regular season is almost here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There is just one last piece of business for teams to close out training camp and the preseason. Teams must cut their active rosters from 90 to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday. Then, they can claim players other teams cut Monday and begin to build their practice squads.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Jets don\u2019t have many spots up for grabs. This feels like a roster cutdown day without much drama for the Jets. That doesn\u2019t mean it will be easy for coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.<\/p>\n
As Glenn put it, \u201cyou crush dreams.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is always the toughest part of the year for any coach, and I don\u2019t care how long I\u2019ve been in this league, it\u2019s always tough,\u201d Glenn said after Friday\u2019s preseason finale with the Giants. \u201cThis league goes on and you have to make these cuts and try to build your team to where it needs to be. So, look forward to that. Me and Mougey have a ton of discussions about a lot of people and that\u2019s been our protocol no matter what. Looking forward to having discussions to try to build this team the way it needs to be built.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Pittsburgh. AP Photo\/Gene J. Puskar<\/p>\n
Here is our final crack at predicting what the Jets\u2019 53-man roster will look like:\u00a0<\/p>\n
QUARTERBACK (2)<\/p>\n
Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik\u00a0<\/p>\n
The only question here is whether the Jets will add a veteran to this room and carry three quarterbacks. I can see the argument to add someone. Klubnik does not look ready for extended action, but the Jets might feel like they could get through a game or two with him. The options on the open market won\u2019t be too appealing but they could at least add someone who has played NFL games before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
RUNNING BACK (4)<\/p>\n
Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu\u00a0<\/p>\n
The only worry here is health. Hall and Davis are both recovering from injuries but are expected to be ready for Week 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs from Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ayden Garnes, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Friday, August 14, 2026. AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II<\/p>\n
WIDE RECEIVER (6)<\/p>\n
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith\u00a0<\/p>\n
Malik McClain and Cam Camper have had moments in camp but I think Smith gets the nod because of his special teams value. Patrick did not play in Friday\u2019s game, signaling he is safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
TIGHT END (4)<\/p>\n
Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four tight ends feel like a lot, but Woods has earned a roster spot. I am cutting fullback Andrew Beck because I think Ruckert and\/or Woods can fill that role.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) catches a pass during a preseason opening game between the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)<\/p>\n
Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper\u00a0<\/p>\n
It would not be surprising if Mougey adds an interior offensive lineman from the waiver wire. This group does not have much depth, but that is not unusual for most of the NFL. Cooper injured his shoulder Friday and may be an IR candidate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
EDGE RUSHERS (4)<\/p>\n
David Bailey, Will McDonald IV, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Jets have a lot invested in this group between draft picks and free agent signings. Nate Lynn was a nice preseason story, but I think he ends up on the practice squad. Braiden McGregor is one of my last cuts. Tyler Baron starts the year on PUP.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jets linebacker David Bailey (31) warms up before the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers pre-season game on Friday, August 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ. Bill Kostroun\/New York Post<\/p>\n
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)<\/p>\n
T\u2019Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Jowon Briggs, Darrell Jackson Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No surprises here. Jackson had a really strong summer and has earned playing time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)<\/p>\n
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Mykal Walker\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walker has been sidelined by a knee injury in the past two weeks, so he\u2019s a health question. If he can go, Mauigoa, McCrary-Ball and Walker are all key special teams players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
CORNERBACK (7)<\/p>\n
Brandon Stephens, Azareye\u2019h Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., D\u2019Angelo Ponds, Qwan\u2019tez Stiggers, Nahshon Wright, Jordan Clark\u00a0<\/p>\n
I gave Clark my last roster spot because he made so many plays this summer. Simply put, he\u2019s a football player. I\u2019m not sure it will work out because he plays the same nickel spot as Brownlee and Ponds, but if I\u2019m Glenn, I am trying to hold on to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jets defensive back Jordan Clark adjusts his helmet during practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ, on Monday, August 17, 2026. Bill Kostroun\/New York Post<\/p>\n
SAFETY (4)<\/p>\n
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rookie VJ Payne starts the year on IR in this situation. I think Belton starts over Cisco.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SPECIALISTS (3)<\/p>\n
Austin McNamara, Thomas Hennessy, Spencer Shrader\u00a0<\/p>\n