New York Jets 2025 season preview, predictions: A new era

A new era of New York Jets football kicks off Sunday.

The opener marks the debut of head coach Aaron Glenn and quarterback Justin Fields, ushering in both a cultural reset and a shift in identity for a franchise searching for relevance. The pairing of Glenn and Fields could prove to be a turning point for a team that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2010.

Expectations are split. Some analysts see New York as a six-win team at best, while others believe Glenn’s first season could deliver a winning record.

Despite all the record predictions, the biggest question with the season just one day away is pretty easy to spot: Have the New York Jets officially turned a corner?

Roster Changes

Additions

• QB Justin Fields
• WR Josh Reynolds
• TE Stone Smartt
• TE Jelani Woods
• OT Chukwuma Okorafor
• DT Harrison Phillips
• DT Jowon Briggs
• DT Jay Tufele
• LB Cam Jones
• CB Brandon Stephens
• FS Andre Cisco
• K Nick Folk
• 7th Overall: OT Armand Membou (R)
• 42nd Overall: TE Mason Reynolds (R)
• 73rd Overall: CB Azareye’h Smith (R)
• 110th Overall: WR Arian Smith (R)
• 130th Overall Pick: S Malachi Moore (R)
• 162nd Overall Pick: LB Francisco Mauigoa (R)
• 176th Overall Pick: DE Tyler Baron (R)

Subtractions

• QB Aaron Rodgers
• WR Davante Adams
• WR Malachi Corley
• WR Malik Taylor
• WR Marcus Riley
• TE Tyler Conklin
• TE Kenny Yeboah
• OT Morgan Moses
• OT Tyron Smith
• OT Carter Warren
• OL Xavier Newman
• C Wes Schweitzer
• C Jake Hanson
• DT Javon Kinlaw
• DT Soloman Thomas
• DT Leki Fotu
• DT Phidarian Mathis
• DT Bruce Hector
• DE Haason Reddick
• LB C.J. Mosley
• LB Chazz Surratt
• LB Jamin Davis
• CB D.J. Reed
• CB Brandin Echols
• CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
• S Ashtyn Davis
• S Chuck Clark
• K Greg Zuerlein
• P Thomas Morstead

Depth Chart

Offense

• QB: Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor
• RB: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, (KR) Kene Nwangu
• WR: Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Arian Smith (R)
• TE: Mason Taylor (R), Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, Jelani Woods, (FB) Andrew Beck
• LT: Olu Fashanu, Max Mitchell, Esa Pole
• LG: John Simpson
• C: Josh Myers, Gus Hartwig (IR)
• RG: Joe Tippman, Xavier Newman, Alijah Vera-Tucker (IR)
• RT: Armand Membou (R), Chukwuma Okorafor

Defense

• LDE: Will McDonald IV, Tyler Baron
• LDT: Harrison Philips, Jowon Briggs, Byron Cowart (IR)
• RDT: Quinnen Williams, Jay Tufele, Leonard Taylor III
• RDE: Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor, Jermaine Johnson
• WLB: Marcellino McCrary-Ball, Cam Jones
• MLB: Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Maugioa, Ja’Markis Weston (IR)
• SLB: Quincy Williams
• LCB: Sauce Gardner, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Kris Boyd (IR)
• RCB: Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas
• NB: Michael Carter II
• SS: Tony Adams, Isaiah Oliver
• FS: Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore

Special Teams

• PK: Nick Folk
• P: Austin McNamara
• PR: Xavier Gipson, Isaiah Davis
• KR: Kene Nwangu, Xavier Gipson, Arian Smith
• LS: Thomas Hennessy

Practice Squad

• QB Brady Cook
• WR Tyler Johnson
• WR Jamaal Pritchett
• WR Quentin Skinner
• WR Brandon Smith
• OL Kohl Levao
• OL Lean Wiegand
• DT Payton Page
• DE Eric Watts
• LB Jackson Sirmon
• LB Boog Smith
• DB Jordan Clark
• S Dean Clark
• K Harrison Mevis

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Aaron Glenn
• Offensive Coordinator: Tanner Engstrand
• Defensive Coordinator: Steve Wilks
• Special Teams Coordinator: Chris Banjo

Roster notes and comments

• Justin Fields opens the year as the Jets’ unquestioned starter, taking full command of an offense that will lean heavily on his dual-threat ability.
• Running back Breece Hall, entering the final year of his rookie deal, is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2023 campaign. But head coach Aaron Glenn has already made it clear the backfield will be a committee. Hall, rookie Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are all expected to share touches. Allen’s physical, downhill running style complements Fields’ speed on read-option plays, while Hall could see fewer carries but more opportunities as a receiver. He has been among the NFL’s most productive pass-catching backs, finishing fourth in receiving yards at the position last season (483) and leading all running backs in 2023 with 591.
• The passing game still revolves around Garrett Wilson, who is in line for a fourth straight 1,000-yard season. Behind him, the Jets are banking on a mix of veterans and unproven talent—Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds, rookie Arian Smith, and Xavier Gipson. Fields has a track record of leaning on his top option, as D.J. Moore showed in Chicago in 2023 with a career-high 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns.
• At tight end, second-round pick Mason Taylor out of LSU is expected to play a central role. Taylor’s refined route running and reliable hands give him a clear path to snaps in Glenn’s run-heavy scheme, especially with the rest of the depth chart unsettled. Jeremy Ruckert struggled as a blocker in 2023, Stone Smartt is undersized for the position, and Andrew Beck is primarily a hybrid fullback. Jelani Woods offers size but remains inconsistent. The Jets surprisingly carried five tight ends—equal to the number of wideouts on the roster—leaving Taylor positioned to be the primary contributor.
• The Jets are hoping for their offensive line to elevate the team heading into 2025. While losing Alijah Vera-Tucker changes things, the Jets have the pieces to still field a respectable unit. Joe Tippmann is set to replace him at right guard. He started three games as a spot in 2023 and only allowed five pressures while not allowing a sack. At center, Myers was a long-time starter in Green Bay but struggled in that role. All things considered, the Jets could do worse than an experienced starter who’s decent in pass protection. Meanwhile, John Simpson will be hoping to match his impressive 2024 season and earn a long-term extension. The ceiling of the offensive line is up to young tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. Fashanu, the 11th overall pick in 2024, played well as a rookie once he got to his natural spot. Meanwhile, the 7th overall pick from 2025, Armand Membou, flashed in the preseason. The floor of this unit dropped, but it can still be one of the better lines in the NFL if everything goes right.
• The defensive line is looking to regain its status among the best in the NFL. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams leads the way and is primed to get back to his All-Pro ways. The Jets brought in some help next to him, trading for Philips and Briggs to strengthen the run defense. With Tufele and Taylor III bringing some pass-rush juice, the position is in good shape. At defensive end, the Jets look to Will McDonald IV to build on his 10-sack sophomore campaign and be a more balanced player. Opposite of him, Clemons is listed as the starter and will help against the run, but the Jets are hoping Jermaine Johnson can get back to form. In 2024, Johnson had seven pressures on only 46 pass-rushing snaps (15.2%, NFL average 9.3%) before suffering an Achilles injury in Week 2. There are a lot of ifs, but the unit should be much improved from a disappointing 2024 season.

Schedule

Game-by-game predictions

• vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Win (1-0)
• vs. Buffalo Bills: Loss (1-1)
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss (1-2)
• at Miami Dolphins (MNF): Win (2-2)
• vs Dallas Cowboys: Loss (2-3)
• vs Denver Broncos (London Game): Loss (2-4)
• vs Carolina Panthers: Win (3-4)
• at Cincinnati Bengals: Loss (3-5)
• vs Cleveland Browns: Win (4-5)
• at New England Patriots (TNF): Loss (4-6)
• at Baltimore Ravens: Loss (4-7)
• vs Atlanta Falcons: Win (5-7)
• vs Miami Dolphins: Win (6-7)
• at Jacksonville Jaguars: Win (7-7)
• at New Orleans Saints: Win (8-7)
• vs New England Patriots: Loss (8-8)
• at Buffalo Bills: Loss (8-9)

Final record prediction: 8-9

The Jets enter the season with the NFL’s 16th-ranked strength of schedule, right in the middle of the pack. Still, the early slate is no walkover. Each of New York’s first three opponents made the playoffs last year, including two division winners (Buffalo and Tampa Bay).

Avoiding a 0-3 start will be critical, as Week 4 brings a divisional showdown against Miami on Monday Night Football. That matchup could play in the Jets’ favor, with cooler conditions under the lights compared to the Dolphins’ usual early-season heat advantage.

After a Week 6 meeting with Denver, the schedule eases considerably. Outside of heavyweight tests against Baltimore and Cincinnati, the Jets face a series of games that appear winnable on paper.

Given the balance of the schedule and all the winnable games down the stretch, it is challenging to project New York losing more than nine games. If my prediction comes to fruition, this would be the first year the Jets have won more than seven games since 2015.

Jets X-Factor staff predictions

Keys to the season

Another pass catcher stepping up

While a trade for a No. 2 wide receiver seems unlikely at this stage, the Jets still need another pass catcher to emerge alongside Garrett Wilson to keep defenses honest. Opponents will continue to build game plans around containing Wilson, making secondary production critical.

That responsibility could fall on rookie wideout Arian Smith, a fourth-round pick known for his speed, or more likely second-round tight end Mason Taylor, whose polish as a route runner positions him to be a featured option in the passing game.

Avoiding turnovers

The Jets lack the margin for error to squander possessions with giveaways, making ball security paramount. Quarterback Justin Fields will need to cut down on mistakes and operate within a controlled scheme.

The model is clear: Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles have thrived with quick reads and short, efficient throws that limit risk while keeping the chains moving.

That approach also creates opportunities for the ground game, giving New York a blueprint for generating offense without costly turnovers.

Win the run game on both sides

The Jets struggled in 2024 for two big reasons: they couldn’t run the ball or stop the run.

Head coach Aaron Glenn has preached how that will change under his leadership. The Jets brought in help at both lines, drafting Armand Membou and trading for Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

Adding a dynamic quarterback like Justin Fields should only help. If the Jets can control the tempo of the game, they will have a chance to surprise people in 2025.

Player Development

The Jets coaches bet big on themselves in 2024. Their strategy in free agency and the draft showed they were confident in their ability to develop players.

The previous regime struggled in this area, primarily on the offensive side. The Jets have a young team with nine starters 25 or under, including six on offense.

Several more are looking to earn starting spots, too. If the Jets have any hope in 2025 or beyond, they must see their players grow.