Football officially returned with the Hall of Fame Game last Thursday. The New York Jets will make their return to the gridiron this Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While the focus is on the first preseason game, the joint practices leading up to it may be even more important. The Jets and Buccaneers will share the practice field on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Since starters don’t get too many reps in the preseason anymore, this is the best chance to watch them go head-to-head before the regular season.

These are the battles Jets fans should care about the most as they monitor practice reports over the next two days.

David Bailey & Will McDonald vs. Tristan Wirfs

You learn a lot anytime you have the opportunity to face off against one of the best. Tristan Wirfs will get that opportunity this week as he faces off against David Bailey.

All jokes aside, Bailey and Will McDonald will need to bring their best and then some against Wirfs. Since being selected 13th overall in 2020, Wirfs has earned three All-Pro selections and made five Pro Bowls.

While Bailey and McDonald seem to have made progress as run defenders, Wirfs will put that development to the test. The real challenge, though, will be as pass rushers.

Wirfs’ elite athleticism will help negate Bailey and McDonald’s best weapon, their speed. If they’re able to give him trouble, then there’s no tackle in the NFL they can’t beat. Hopefully, Bailey’s ankle is doing better, and we get to see him on the field.

Azareye’h Thomas & Brandon Stephens vs. Chris Godwin & Emeka Egbuka

No group on the Jets has a wider range of possibilities than the cornerback room. They were the league’s worst group in 2025, but have the upside to be much better this season.

The Jets’ top corner, Brandon Stephens, embodies the high-ceiling, low-floor nature of this unit. Stephens had a dominant stretch in the middle of 2025. Unfortunately, it was sandwiched between several brutal weeks to start and finish the year. Behind him are a bunch of talented young players who haven’t proven a thing.

So far in training camp, Azaraye’h Thomas appears to be running away with the starting job opposite Stephens. The second-year pro has done an excellent job in both coverage and run defense. This week, they’ll finally get to test their mettle against a new team.

While Mike Evans is no longer in Tampa Bay, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka still present an excellent challenge for the Jets. Godwin is an elite route runner, and Egbuka has been a big-play threat from day one. Together, they present a versatile challenge for the Jets’ young cornerback room.

Jets Interior OL vs. Vita Vea

The final battle to watch involves one of the biggest question marks surrounding the Jets.

While Joe Tippmann is looking to establish himself as a top-10 right guard in 2026, there are concerns about left guard Dylan Parham and center Josh Myers, as well as the Jets’ depth. Facing off against a talented veteran like Vita Vea will give us an idea of what to expect for the season.

If Parham and Myers aren’t completely overwhelmed by Vea, then the Jets can feel good heading into the season. It’ll also show where the arrow is pointing for the recently extended Tippmann.

While Vea may have lost a step, he’s still one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL. Meanwhile, Tippmann is coming off a strong finish in 2025 and is looking to build on it. A dominant performance against Vea could show he’s on his way to fulfilling his Pro Bowl potential.

Other players to watch

While the top battles Jets fans will be interested in are against the Buccaneers’ top players, there are still plenty of other players and trends that are worth keeping an eye on.

OTs Armand Membou & Olu Fashanu

There are few players as important to the Jets’ future as their young tackle duo. Armand Membou has been dominant in practice while Olu Fashanu looks to have added power.

However, the Jets’ edge duo isn’t known for their run-stopping prowess, and free agent signings Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare have been hurt. Now, we’ll finally see them against new blood, including rookie defensive lineman Reuben Bain Jr.

QB Geno Smith

One way or another, Geno Smith is the key to the Jets offense.

Coming off a brutal year with the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith has impressed in camp. But that’s a low bar to clear in New York, and may be a bigger indictment of the Jets secondary.

Now, Smith needs to show it against another team. The Buccaneers defense was average in 2025, so it’ll be a good measuring stick for Smith and this young Jets offense.

Health

One of the biggest keys to joint practices is staying healthy. Against a different team, tensions run high, and the unfamiliarity leads to accidents. Unfortunately for Jets fans, several new additions already won’t be on the field this week.

Several rookies, including tight end Kenyon Sadiq, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, and safety VJ Payne, will be out for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, second overall pick David Bailey is day-to-day with an ankle injury as well.

Defensive linemen Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, and T’Vondre Sweat haven’t been practicing either.

While winning the practice and preseason game would be nice, the biggest goal for the week is to finish healthier than they started.