Free agency and the NFL draft are in the rearview, which means the New York Jets’ 2026 offseason plan has (mostly) been executed. Now, offseason workouts begin.

Through it all, though, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains on the perceived hot seat heading into his second year. After a three-win season in 2025, the former Pro Bowl cornerback is expected to take a major jump in the win column in order to be around for 2027 and beyond.

But are wins enough for the Jets to justify continued faith in the current regime?

General manager Darren Mougey’s process through offseason trades, free-agent signings, and draft selections has been well-received. It seems like the team has an executive they can trust going forward. Wins won’t be necessary to give Mougey another chance next season.

The same cannot be said for Glenn.

Wins won’t be enough.

Post-draft expectations for Jets

What would be considered a successful season for the Jets in 2026? Does the head coach need to see a winning record at the end of the year to be assured that his job is safe? Maybe seven wins would cut it?

The answer is more complex than wins and losses.

Following a strong draft and a good free agent class, the Jets’ roster is significantly more talented than it was at the end of last season. That means Glenn should be evaluated on the Jets’ quality of play, rather than their record.

To close the 2025 regular season, New York was outscored by 134 points over their final five games. The combined score? 188-54. It was the first time in league history that a team lost each of its final five games of the season by at least 23 points.

For the season, the Jets were outscored by 203 points, the worst margin in the NFL and the third-worst in franchise history, ahead of only the 1976 (-214 in 14 games) and 2020 (-214 in 16 games) New York teams.

Fans chalked it up to the team trying to tank for a high draft pick. That will not fly in 2026, though. New York needs to show they can hang with teams of equal or greater talent.

Can you keep a head coach who, after two seasons, has not shown he can get his team to look competent?

If Glenn wants to keep his job, getting to seven or eight wins would help tremendously. But if the Jets are winning narrowly and getting blown out in their losses? Embarrassed by their division rivals again? Unable to compete with good teams?

Then seven wins may not cut it.

Quality of play matters more than anything else for the Jets in 2026. They have the talent to be much better this season, but executing remains the organization’s Achilles’ heel.

Until that changes, Glenn’s seat will remain among the hottest in football.