There are plenty of reasons to be fairly optimistic about the New York Jets’ outlook in the 2026 season.

However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This team is not in a strong position to stun the world and break their grueling 15-year playoff drought.

Could it happen? Sure, anything can.

Is it likely? Certainly not.

Today, we’ll take a step back from the optimistic angle and break down the three main concerns regarding the 2026 Jets.

Heavy reliance on rookies

For the Jets to take a noticeable leap forward this season, they are going to need a high level of production from their rookies, especially David Bailey, Omar Cooper Jr., Kenyon Sadiq, and D’Angelo Ponds.

After making four selections within the top 50 and three first-round picks, it’s fair to expect immediate results from highly-touted first-year players. However, the Jets are gearing up for an unusually heavy reliance on immediate production from their rookie class.

In particular, Sadiq and Cooper Jr. are expected to play integral roles in the Jets’ passing attack right away. If they get off to a slow start or don’t necessarily look the part of first-round rookies, the Jets’ passing game will feel the consequences.

The Jets still lack an established WR2 behind Garrett Wilson, making Cooper Jr.’s role even more important. Third-year receiver Adonai Mitchell has flashed his tremendous separation ability, but he hasn’t proven that he can consistently be relied on as a No. 2 option in the room.

Altogether, the Jets are banking on their rookies to deliver right away, and that is a risky proposition for their short-term hopes.

Offensive play-calling

As Frank Reich enters his first season as the Jets’ offensive coordinator, there are massive question marks.

His last two stints in the NFL came to a halt with in-season firings. Serving as the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach and play caller in 2022, he was fired following a 3-5-1 start, with the Colts’ offense averaging just 14.7 points per game.

After earning another opportunity in that same role with the Carolina Panthers for the 2023 season, he was canned after a 1-10 start.

Following his dismissal in Carolina, Reich stepped away from football for a year before heading to Stanford University, where he served as interim head coach and senior advisor.

We will see if Reich has been able to adapt his scheme to fit the more modern game. The good news is that there is schematic cohesiveness between him and Geno Smith.

Beyond that, though, there is reason for concern regarding how innovative and nuanced the team’s offense will be as a whole.

The head coach

It’s hard to have realistic optimism in Jets head coach Aaron Glenn as he enters his second season in the role.

After finishing 3-14 last year, he would need to be a historic outlier among first-year head coaches to get on the right track.

Not only did Glenn win just three games, but his game management decisions, including fourth-down decisions and timeout allocation, were among the worst in the league.

Now, he is taking on an added responsibility as the Jets’ defensive play-caller this season. The good news is that he thrived in that role with the Detroit Lions, which led to him getting a head coaching job.

He seemed in over his head, though, as a non-play-caller. With a full offseason to adapt and make changes, does Glenn look like an entirely different coach?

That remains largely unknown.

There are still major concerns to address

From a talent standpoint, the Jets’ roster is capable of winning 7-9 games this year.

However, with a heavy reliance on rookies and major question marks at head coach and offensive coordinator, it is fair to wonder if the Jets will play up to their talent level.

Compared to last year, the team has a much more balanced roster. Despite that, though, the coaching staff remains a pressing concern.