For the most part, the New York Jets’ 2026 offseason was efficient, methodical, and subdued. While they made a large quantity of additions, few of them were headline-grabbers that generated any sort of controversy.

There was one exception: Their bold decision to select David Bailey over Arvell Reese with the second overall draft pick.

For months, Reese (who ended up being taken fifth overall by the New York Giants) was widely viewed as the consensus favorite to be the choice at No. 2. In the weeks leading up to the draft, the national media began to lean toward Bailey, but fans and draftniks stayed attached to Reese as the preferred choice.

Come draft night, the Jets proved the buzz correct as they opted for Reese, shocking many Jets fans.

Despite the surprising nature of the choice, it is being viewed by some as one of the best moves of the entire NFL offseason.

In a ranking of the top 25 moves of the 2026 NFL offseason, Bleacher Report placed the Jets’ decision to take Bailey over Reese in the No. 13 slot.

“With the Las Vegas Raiders expected to take Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, the New York Jets had a tough decision between top pass-rushing prospect David Bailey and a versatile standout defender in Arvell Reese. After trading Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans, Gang Green made the right move to fill a void in its pass rush rather than figure out where Reese would fit in the defense.”

The prevailing logic to explain the Jets’ decision is that Bailey has the more proven resume as a pass rusher. Not only did he log significantly more pass rush reps than Reese in college, but Bailey was dominant with those reps, building a profile that suggests he has a high chance of becoming a star pass rusher in the NFL.

Reese has flashed similar upside as a pass rusher, but only in small spurts, making him a riskier choice. The primary appeal of Reese’s game is versatility, rather than pure pass rushing, which is the premium skill that teams covet in an edge rusher chosen second overall. Thus, the Jets opted for the surer thing in the area that adds the most value.

Despite being controversial at the time, the Bailey pick has aged well as fans and analysts have gotten time to dissect it. Of course, though, the decision cannot be fairly judged until Bailey and Reese hit the field in 2026.

Since they’ll be playing in the same stadium, their careers will be tied at the hip for the foreseeable future.