The New York Jets absorbed a 24-16 defeat in their preseason opener, but plenty of important players for the franchise looked strong in their brief appearances.

Here are three key stats that every Jets fan should take away from the team’s first on-field action of 2026.

6.6 yards after contact per attempt

The top two running backs on New York’s depth chart ran hard.

Breece Hall captained the Jets’ opening drive, while projected RB2 Braelon Allen spelled him for the second drive. Combined, they logged eight carries for 60 yards (7.5 yards per carry).

Of those 60 yards, 53 were gained after contact. That gives the duo a combined average of 6.6 yards after contact per attempt, which is downright absurd.

Obviously, it’s a tiny sample size, but this is the type of physical dominance you’d like to see from Hall and Allen against Tampa Bay’s backup defense. Allen was especially impressive, racking up 33 yards after contact on four carries (8.3 per attempt). For a player who says he bulked up to 250 pounds, he looked shifty.

0 missed tackles among LB3 competitiors

The Jets’ LB3 competition was one of the most fascinating defensive storylines coming into the game. While they didn’t necessarily come away with any concrete answers, it was for a good reason—every competitor thrived.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball (4), Kiko Mauigoa (4), and Mykal Walker (5) combined for 13 defensive tackles without being credited for a single missed tackle. All three linebackers flew across the field during their time in action, and did it without being reckless.

They also held their own in coverage, combining to allow just one first down reception (allowed by Walker).

McCrary-Ball and Walker added one forced fumble apiece, although both went out of bounds.

With Aaron Glenn as their defensive coordinator in the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions led the NFL with a 44% usage rate of base packages, which include three linebackers on the field. For that reason, the Jets may end up counting on their LB3 more than any other team in the NFL. This is a sneaky important competition, and the Jets got great results in the preseason opener.

+12.3 net punt return average, +6.4 net kick return average

In preseason games, the team-wide results on offense and defense are meaningless, as both teams are constantly rotating players in and out of the game, while using vanilla schemes.

However, special teams play can be analyzed with a bit more accuracy, as many of the players participating on those units will indeed be playing special teams in the regular season. Most special teams units are comprised largely of the team’s back-of-roster players.

After a dominant year on special teams in 2025, the Jets showed no signs of slowing down on Friday night. They averaged 12.3 yards per punt return across four tries, while holding the Buccaneers to zero yards on their only return; the other two punts were not returned. In the kick return game, the Jets averaged 28.7 yards to Tampa Bay’s 22.3.

Chris Banjo was unquestionably the Jets’ best coaching hire of 2025. Going into 2026, he is poised to repeat his success.