In the words of the legendary Bill Parcells, “You are what your record says you are.”
This season, the New York Jets sit at a measly 2-5. So, they are only as good as that indicates, and it’s quite disappointing, especially given all the opportunities they’ve had to improve that record by sneaking away with tight wins.
There are two separate conversations, though. Yes, the Jets are 2-5 this season, and this hasn’t been a good year for the team whatsoever. But there’s also the long-term lens, and how the organization is set up moving forward.
How close are the Jets to really breaking through and finding success? Are they truly a head coach away?
How are the Jets set up for the future?
Everyone and their mother knows about the assets Gang Green has. After making three first-round picks in 2026, they have another three first-round picks in 2027, plus an abundance of cap space over the next two offseasons.
It’s safe to say the ammunition that the Jets possess over the next two years, especially this offseason, is among the most valuable in the league. They have a war chest.
Aside from future assets, though, what have we learned about the team this year? How well are they set up for the future based on who is currently in the building?
Those assets won’t mean much unless the team has a competent roster in place at first, particularly when it pertains to drafting a quarterback, which the team is expected to do in April.
While the Jets’ record may be 2-5, fans have a lot to be excited about long-term, most notably on offense. New York’s skill position group has the upside to be one of the most talented in the league when everyone is fully healthy.
Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall were the Jets’ established offensive weapons entering this season. Everything behind that was pretty much an unknown in terms of what to expect. Adonai Mitchell and Mason Taylor each flashed promise a year ago, but hadn’t sustainably proven their abilities. Then came the rookies Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq, coupled with the wild card of Braelon Allen.
So far, all of those players have flashed in a big way this season. Taylor has been a red-zone target, scoring two contested touchdowns on Sunday; Cooper Jr. has delivered back-to-back 100-yard games; Sadiq had a 100-yard outing in Week 3. The talent in the room is just sky-high.
Among the group, Allen has arguably been the most encouraging. In Hall’s absence due to injury, he has made a strong case for an expanded role in the offense even after the starter re-enters the lineup.
The Jets have had some pretty encouraging pieces on defense, too.
T’Vondre Sweat, acquired in exchange for Jermaine Johnson, has done an excellent job on the interior of the defensive line, doing the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score while faring very well against double teams.
Azareye’h Thomas has also been an exciting development. The 2025 third-round pick has looked like he has the chops to be a legitimate long-term starter in the league, and at just 22, he still has more upside to tap. He also had just five career starts entering this season.
Dane Belton has been another pleasant surprise. Although he signed for just $4 million this offseason, he has been one of the Jets’ most reliable defenders so far. He and Minkah Fitzpatrick have developed into one of the league’s top safety duos this season.
Up front, David Bailey has flashed his pass-rushing tools, tallying six sacks and 26 pressures through seven games. Beyond the No. 2 overall pick, Kingsley Enagbare, a free-agent pickup this offseason, has arguably been the Jets’ best edge this season, bringing a strong balance between pass-rushing and run defense.
So, between Sweat, Thomas, Bailey, Belton, Fitzpatrick, and Enagbare, that’s six defensive players who have looked solid or better this season. Most importantly, four of the five are younger than 26, with Fitzpatrick being the exception at 29 going on 30.
That matters because it isn’t like all the guys playing well on defense are in their mid-30s. Demario Davis, at 37, has been impressive for the team this season, but throwing him into the building-block category would be pointless because of his age.
If the Jets could leave this year feeling really good about 6-8 of their defensive starters, that’s a strong position to be in, especially given all of the assets they own this offseason.
Are they really ‘a coach away?’
Coaching, coaching, coaching. The Jets have been at a significant coaching disadvantage this season, and it’s hard to win that way.
Between Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich, the Jets haven’t had what it takes to squeak out close games. It’s the main reason behind their 2-5 record.
We dove deep into why Sunday’s loss is likely the nail in the coffin for Glenn’s fate, but he is still the team’s head coach for now, so it’s important to talk about his missteps. Between the game management and Reich’s struggles as a situational play caller, it’s been rough for the Jets.
Since Glenn took over as the Jets’ head coach in 2025, the Jets have been outscored 107-6 in the final two minutes of the first half. That’s inexcusable, and no explanation could justify it.
His answers at the podium about game management continue to support the idea that he appears to be in over his head as a head coach. It’s hard to cling to anything in his body of work, and barring a miracle, the Jets will have to cut ties with him in the offseason.
Ultimately, the Jets are much closer to competing, from a long-term viewpoint, than their record suggests. Many of their close losses can be tied largely to coaching. As we broke down above, the Jets have building blocks in place, along with a surplus of assets to continue strengthening the roster.
Right now, with a competent coach, the outlook for Gang Green would be much different. That is not to say the Jets are a coach away from being Super Bowl contenders, but they have the talent to hover around .500 with a legitimate coach.
Folks, the team really isn’t that far away. That is made clear by the young talent that has emerged on both sides of the ball this season.
Right now, the missing piece just seems to be a serviceable coaching staff.
