Football is a unique professional game. Unlike in sports such as hockey or basketball, the NFL is based heavily on the balance between coaches and players.

The New York Jets have had neither over the last 15 years.

Whether it’s been hiring the wrong coaches or relying on ineffective players at critical positions, there is a reason why Gang Green has recorded losing seasons in 10 straight seasons and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.

New York’s hope now is that their current coaching staff is good enough to get a turnaround started in 2026. Before that can happen, though, the team knows they need to infuse the roster with far more talent than they currently have.

Following the unveiling of their coaching staff, it’s time for the Jets to shift their focus to the next challenge: Giving them talent to work with.

Jets turn the page

New York officially announced the final additions to their coaching staff on Thursday morning. No additional hires are needed at this point. It’s full steam ahead to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and free agency.

But the Jets’ current transition highlights the legitimate question that many fans and analysts continue to debate: Is the modern NFL more about quality coaching or quality players?

Teams like the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have a collection of top coaches on both sides of the ball. Would they be as successful if Mike Macdonald weren’t leading the team? Or was their success the result of a stacked roster on offense and defense?

The answer, as it always is in the NFL, is somewhere in the middle.

It’s something the Jets need to take into account going into free agency.

New York believes they have upgraded their coaching staff. They brought in a combination of experience and modernity to their offensive staff, while the defense, with Aaron Glenn expected to call plays, features plenty of ascending young assistants.

They can’t stop there, though.

Just because the Jets were able to bring in Karl Dunbar to help develop the defensive line, it doesn’t mean the team can simply run it back with only Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, and think everything will magically be fixed.

Frank Reich’s experience is expected to stabilize the offense and perhaps create more touches for Garrett Wilson. But the Jets cannot rely on Wilson alone to carry the passing game. The likes of Arian Smith, John Metchie III, and Adonai Mitchell are not enough to complement the star wideout.

The first part of Aaron Glenn’s make-or-break offseason is complete. He brought in coaches who he believes can do a better job than his predecessors. Now, it is up to Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to find the right players for those assistants to develop.

Pairing great talent with superb coaching is something the Jets haven’t been able to do in well over a decade. That must change this offseason.