A lot went wrong for the New York Jets in 2025. One unit that didn’t struggle as much, though, was their special teams unit.
Led by former special teams ace Chris Banjo, New York’s return game accounted for four touchdowns, tied for third-most in the NFL. A breakout year from rookie punter Austin McNamara and a dominant season from Nick Folk also helped New York on that side of the ball.
Not everything was a disaster for Gang Green last year. Then again, the team’s special teams outlook suddenly has something of a question mark, thanks to free agency, which left them without a trusted kicking option.
Folk signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The Jets responded by bringing in Cade York, Lenny Krieg, and undrafted free agent Will Ferrin. Together, the group has a successful kicking percentage — combined marks from the pros and college — of just 77%.
Like last year, though, New York’s popular special teams coach isn’t worried.
Jets’ big kicking question
It’s important to remember — last season — the Jets faced the same questions throughout the offseason workout period and early in training camp. It wasn’t until July 29 that the team brought back Folk on a one-year deal.
While Ferrin has yet to report to the team facility (rookie minicamp begins Friday), Banjo likes what he’s seen from both contenders for the starting kicking game.
“We’re really excited about the process we got going on,” Banjo said on Wednesday, courtesy of a virtual media availability session. “Both guys (Krieg and York) are very talented, and we’re excited to have them in the building. We’re looking forward to attacking this every single day.”
As a German-born player, Krieg began his playing career in the German Football League for the Berlin Adler and Stuttgart Surge from 2022 to 2024. He was stashed on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad last season before signing a futures deal with the Jets in January.
York, the man whose name seamlessly fits the Jets, has struggled mightily to establish NFL consistency despite a quality college career. He did not play in 2025 after brief stints in both Atlanta and Cincinnati in 2024.
Ferron comes from BYU with multiple successful kicks from 50 yards out. That kind of big leg is something the Jets are interested in seeing more of when he eventually shows up for rookie camp.
As far as Banjo is concerned, the placekicker position is just one of many.
Banjo’s aim
Consistency. That’s the word Banjo used repeatedly Thursday when it came to some of the team’s breakout stars like returner Isaiah Williams and McNamara.
With the return of kick-return specialist Kene Nwangwu, the Jets believe they can get even better production from the group in 2026.
“We’re very fortunate to bring Kene back,” Banjo said.
The heroics of Nwangwu and Williams combined for some of the lone highlights during the Jets’ lost season last year. Williams led the league in punt returns for touchdowns and recorded the fifth-highest return average for players with more than five punt returns last season.
“Isaiah did phenomenal last year,” Banjo said. “But last year was last year. We’re looking forward to putting the work in. He showed a lot of maturity last year, but now we just want to build off that.”
The combination of Nwangwu, Williams, and McNamara all returning to the team next season means the Jets should feel confident in their chances of fielding a top unit in 2026.
This, of course, only holds true if the Jets can sort out their kicking situation. After all, in many ways, it is the quarterback position to the unit (in terms of value and importance).
