New York Jets fans are optimistic about the direction of their favorite football team after an offseason rife with changes.
Nonetheless, it does not seem as if the national media will buy into the idea of New York being an improved football team until they see it on the field.
On Wednesday, ESPN released its Football Power Index rankings for the 2026 season, which is based on certain metrics.
The website writes, “FPI’s preseason predictive ratings are primarily based on win totals from the betting market in conjunction with each team’s schedule — along with factors such as the difference between a team’s starting and backup quarterback and a special teams rating that incorporates specific kickers. We use these ratings to simulate the season thousands of times, with the results forming our projections.”
Heading into June, the Jets are placed 31st with a -5.5 rating, just behind the Browns, who also have a -5.5 rating. They are each ahead of the 32nd-ranked Miami Dolphins at -5.8. In 29th, as the only other team with a -5.0 or worse rating, are the Cardinals (-5.2).
Is this a disrespectful rating for the Jets?
The reality is, New York doesn’t deserve to be placed high on any sort of preseason ranking until the wins start coming in. Sure, it isn’t quite fair to the current players on the roster, but when a franchise misses the playoffs 15 years in a row, including multiple recent seasons that carried Super Bowl aspirations, the public will be extremely hesitant to buy in until there are tangible results to base optimism off of.
On paper, it could be argued that the Jets have a more talented roster than teams like Cleveland, Arizona, and Las Vegas, especially after the Browns traded Myles Garrett. Yet, with questions at head coach (Aaron Glenn) and quarterback (Geno Smith), it’s fair to be hesitant about whether the whole will live up to the sum of its parts.
The Jets are drawing minimal hype from the national media going into 2026, but it provides bulletin board material for Aaron Glenn. Most likely, though, he won’t be “taking receipts” like his predecessor, as the Jets’ second-year head coach has preached about “moving in silence”.
