New York Jets fans have seen this before. At the start of an offseason that many hoped would begin with a coaching staff overhaul, Woody Johnson opted to retain the key faces of their staff and front office.

Worse yet, Jets are now forced to watch their cross-town rival, the New York Giants, hire John Harbaugh as the team’s head coach, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Harbaugh’s arrival in East Rutherford has been a resounding success on just the first day for Big Blue. It’s a hire that has been celebrated league-wide and could lead to future success for the Giants.

For the Jets, though, they have to pick up the pieces of a team that has been consistently seen as a disaster. No coaching staff movement after a 3-14 mark — particularly when teams in similar situations have made changes — has left fans feeling lost watching others like the Giants hire slam-dunk candidates.

As frustrating as it may be, as much as John Harbaugh’s candidacy may have been overlooked, New York Jets fans shouldn’t sweat the hire.

Jets fans shouldn’t feel lost

It all comes back to the quarterback. It’s the key item representing the Jets’ most concerning albatross, which trickles outward to the coaching staff, front office, fans, and any potential new employees.

A big reason the Giants were seen as an attractive opening for someone like Harbaugh was the tape of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, which Jet X felt was intriguing, even while at Ole’ Miss.

Sprinkle in a top wideout, in Malik Nabers, and a quality defensive front, and there is plenty for a new head coach to like about the Giants.

The New York Jets roster possesses its own talent. A very strong offensive line, top wideout in Garrett Wilson, and five first-round picks over the next two drafts, is also extremely enticing.

There’s just one key rub: There’s no transparently concrete quarterback play — at least not yet.

Contrary to popular belief, there are many similarities between Harbaugh and current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Neither call plays for their respective team. Both are considered coaches who aim to establish a “culture” in the locker room and “foundation” in a football program.

The Harbaugh difference

The difference, of course, is that Glenn has not shown an ability to adapt to the modern game. Meanwhile, Harbaugh’s decision to transform the offense in 2018 for Lamar Jackson, rather than Joe Flacco, prolonged his coaching career by another decade.

Simply put, Harbaugh saw where the NFL was headed (via rules that allowed a zone-read, RPO-led offense to shine).

Harbaugh may not call plays, but his willingness to adapt is a big reason he’s been a head coach for 18 years with one of the most stable organizations in the NFL — the Baltimore Ravens. Perhaps more importantly, he brings a veteran play-caller (offensive coordinator Todd Monken) with him.

Glenn chose inexperienced assistants around him.

Is it still fair for Jets fans to be lost, though? Not quite.

Contrary to popular belief, a coach like Harbaugh would most likely bypass the Jets until the team can check off multiple boxes. Having a young quarterback to build around tops the list.

With quality arms entering the 2026 NFL draft, April’s selection process is a good chance for the Jets to acquire one. If they’re able to produce at a competent level, the outlook on any Jets coaching job transforms overnight.

This remains the lone reality for New York Jets fans. They shouldn’t feel lost. They should instead be focused on who their version of Jaxson Dart could be.