In free agency, the New York Jets made it a priority to revamp their defense, which was among the league’s worst last season.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, first-year Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker expressed his strong impression of three of the team’s additions.
“I mean, obviously, double-D (Demario Davis) comes to mind immediately,” he said. “His reputation precedes him so much that I kind of already expected that.
“There’s guys that I just didn’t have, any of those guys that we signed in free agency is a good example, Kingsley (Enagbare), (Joseph) Ossai, all those guys that I just hadn’t met in person before and didn’t have as much of a reputational knowledge of them around the league, I’ve been really impressed with those guys in short time would just be good examples.”
Davis is the definition of an ageless wonder. At 37 years old, he remains one of the league’s top linebackers both in coverage and as a run defender.
As for Ossai and Enagbare, they have the capability to play pivotal roles in New York this season.
Ossai, who signed a three-year $36 million deal with the team, logged five sacks, 43 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and 12 quarterback hits with the Bengals last season throughout 14 games (nine starts). He is known for his run defense, as his 70.7 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 15th among 64 qualified edges.
Enagbare, on the other hand, inked a one-year, $10 million deal and is a more-than-adequate rotational edge. One of the league’s most consistent players, he has logged 24-25 pressures and 31-39 total tackles in each of his four NFL seasons. His consistency is an element that the Jets’ edge room lacked last season.
Aside from Davis, Ossai, and Enagbare, the team also added several other veteran starters this offseason. They struck a trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom Duker coached in Miami, bringing in one of the top safeties in football. Players like Dane Belton and Nahshon Wright, who each signed on cheap one-year deals, will be immediate contributors and pose tremendous upside.
New York has enough defensive talent for significant improvement in 2026; there is no doubting that. Now, it all hinges on coaching and execution.
