The New York Jets have resolved their biggest offseason storyline, locking up two franchise cornerstones. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson have both signed extensions that will keep them in green and white through the 2030 season.
The vibes are good at One Jets Drive, but general manager Darren Mougey isn’t done yet. Though Gardner and Wilson were the priorities, neither was set to hit free agency until 2027. That’s not the case for everyone.
The Jets have nearly a dozen starters and key backups set to hit free agency in 2026. Some of the most notable names include the following:
- G Alijah Vera-Tucker
- G John Simpson
- RB Breece Hall
- LB Quincy Williams
While not everyone will be retained, the Jets would be wise to lock down at least a few of them. So, who should we expect to remain in green and white for 2026 and beyond?
Jets face tough decisions at their strongest positions
While it was a no-brainer to extend Gardner and Wilson, Mougey will have to make some more difficult decisions moving forward.
With the salary cap, it’s never simply about the quality of the player. The Jets will be forced to make tough calls on Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, Breece Hall, and Quincy Williams.
Each has proven themselves to be impact players. In a recent survey of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives, Williams was voted the 10th-best linebacker in the NFL. Meanwhile, Vera-Tucker, Simpson, and Hall were honorable mentions for the top 10 among interior offensive linemen and running backs.
The Jets have two of the best duos in the NFL at guard and linebacker (with Jamien Sherwood signed to a new three-year, $45 million deal). However, the Jets must pay up big time to keep those tandems intact beyond 2025.
The guard market has exploded over the last two seasons. The top 10 guards now earn at least $17.5 million per year. Meanwhile, the top 10 linebackers are earning over $10 million annually.
Keeping impact players is always a good idea. However, committing to two high-end contracts at both guard and linebacker is a much more difficult call. Neither are premium positions, and the Jets would likely have to pay over $50 million per season to keep them all.
Vera-Tucker is likely the top priority. Of the group, he is the youngest, offers the most versatility, and has the strongest reputation.
Simpson still has a shot to stay, however. With rookie contracts at the other three offensive line spots, the Jets may be able to fit him in. Depending on Vera-Tucker’s contract demands, though, the Jets may prefer Simpson at a lower price.
For Williams, the key factors are age and economics. He will be 30 at the start of the 2026 season. Additionally, the Jets already rewarded Jamien Sherwood with a major payday at linebacker, one of several significant contracts they already have on defense.
Hall occupies an awkward spot on this list. In his first two seasons, he was spectacular and looked poised to be one of the best running backs in the NFL for years to come. This past season, Hall was arguably the least effective of the Jets’ three backs.
Hall can still prove the doubters wrong and reclaim the home run ability that makes the stadium erupt in “BREEEECE” chants. However, the Jets have two young and talented backs behind him that they may prefer to rely on instead of paying Hall.
Darren Mougey is off to a good start, but the job is never finished
Darren Mougey has already made his mark in his first offseason with the Jets. Beyond free agency and the draft, Mougey gave out $295 million in extensions to Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, and Jamien Sherwood.
All three contracts were seen as some of the most important tasks for Mougey when he joined the Jets back in January. Six months later, they’ve been addressed.
More than just locking in the faces of the franchise, Mougey sent a clear message: Play well, do the right things off the field, and you will be rewarded.
Now, it’s onto the rest.
Looking ahead, extensions for Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald will be on the team’s radar after the 2025 season. Projected starting safeties Andre Cisco and Tony Adams will also become free agents in 2026.
Modern GMs must weigh a number of factors when considering extensions, including compensatory picks and potential trades. Time will tell how he handles his next wave of extension candidates, but make no mistake – this is rapidly becoming Mougey’s team.