The New York Jets’ offseason program is in full force.
Their two-day rookie minicamp ended on Saturday and it would be difficult to take too much away from those light practices — though the Jets did sign one tryout player to their roster (veteran offensive lineman Landon Young) and fourth-round rookie QB Cade Klubnik is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
As the Jets turn their attention toward OTAs, when rookies and veterans will mix on the practice field for the first time, let’s take a look at some of New York’s winners and losers from this offseason based on moves they made — and didn’t make — in free agency and the NFL Draft.
Winner: QB Cade Klubnik
A large portion of the Jets fan base was not thrilled when Darren Mougey traded up in the fourth round to pick Klubnik. Less than a month later, Klubnik is winning them over.
He threw the ball well in team drills during the portion of rookie minicamp practice open to the media — Friday, his only incompletions were on drops. He made accurate throws in the intermediate and deep areas of the field, though it should be noted that it was closer to a walkthrough pace than a full-blown practice tempo. Still, there have been plenty of Jets quarterback draft picks who didn’t impress even in this setting.
Then, it was revealed that Klubnik gathered Jets rookies at the team hotel last week to run through plays in a weight room that was slightly too small to fit them — the receivers were running “three-yard routes,” Klubnik said, “but it’s better than nothing.”
He held court with the media on Friday and did an impressive job of explaining his poor 2025 season at Clemson and why he’s thankful for it anyway. He also mentioned that he was battling two injuries all season (ankle and wrist), and that the ankle injury was bad enough that he was limping around the facility and had to take the elevator because it hurt too much to walk up the stairs.
“I really learned how to truly face adversity and just attack it,” Klubnik said. “I think because of that, I’m really thankful. If I would have gone and had the exact year that I dreamed (of) and worked for I don’t think I’d be as prepared as I am now because I learned really how to face that adversity and get up every single day even though that end goal that I was chasing isn’t really there anymore.”
The word “aura” has been thrown around — including by running back Breece Hall — after a slo-mo video of Klubnik walking out to practice on Thursday.
Beyond that, the Jets’ decision to slow-play their pursuit of another veteran backup quarterback is an indication that they’re giving Klubnik the chance to win the No. 2 quarterback job behind Geno Smith. They’ve explored adding various veteran quarterbacks — including Carson Wentz and, most recently, Russell Wilson — but not aggressively. They still could sign someone, but for now Klubnik will get valuable reps during OTAs once the veterans join the rookie next week.
“He’s a really smart man,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “We’re going to push the envelope with (him) and see exactly where he’s at and how he’s going to be able to operate with our offense … he was a guy we targeted, we’re happy that we got him, and look forward to seeing him come training camp.”
Winner: QB Geno Smith
It’s been said that the Jets are building a good supporting cast for whomever they drop into the offense at quarterback in 2027. But what about the quarterback leading them in 2026?
Smith joined an offense that already had wide receiver Garrett Wilson and a solid offensive line. They brought back running back Breece Hall, drafted two pass-catchers in the first round (tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.) and tight end Mason Taylor should be better in his second season.
Compare that to what Smith had during an admittedly poor season with the Raiders in 2026.
His wide receivers in Las Vegas: Jakobi Meyers (until the trade deadline), Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Tyler Lockett.
At tight end, Brock Bowers is a star, but he was banged up last season, missing five games.
According to Pro Football Focus’ grades, the Raiders ranked 28th and 30th in pass blocking and run blocking.
Also, low bar, but Frank Reich should be an upgrade over Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator.
Smith is in position to have a nice season, all things considered. The key will be cutting back on turnovers, considering he threw 17 interceptions and lost one fumble last year.
Loser: former OC Tanner Engstrand
About that supporting cast: The Jets moved on from Engstrand, now with the Falcons, after an inconsistent season for the offense. However, it would be unfair to blame that on him entirely considering what he had to work with versus what Reich is getting in 2026.
Engstrand’s quarterbacks were Justin Fields, Brady Cook and an aging/injured Tyrod Taylor. Wilson only played in seven games (and still led the Jets in receiving yards). The Jets went into the year with Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Allen Lazard and Arian Smith as the next best options on the depth chart.
Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was lost for the season in training camp. Backup running back Braelon Allen was lost for the season after four games. Mason Taylor required some adjustment to the NFL.
It would be fair to say that Reich is being put in a better position to succeed than Engstrand was last season.
Winners: RBs Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen
The Jets were always going to do what they could to bring back Hall. But Mougey and Glenn showed their confidence and belief in Davis and Allen by not adding any other running backs of consequence this offseason.
Davis has been productive when given the chance, averaging 5.6 yards per carry on 73 attempts over two seasons. Allen has been a star in training camp and that hasn’t quite translated to the regular season, though he appeared to be on the right track before getting injured against the Miami Dolphins last season.
The Jets signed intriguing undrafted rookie Chip Trayanum, but he’ll have an uphill climb to the 53-man roster. The only other running backs on the roster are fullback Andrew Beck, kick returner Kene Nwangwu and UDFA Sam Scott from Wyoming.
Losers: CBs Jarvis Brownlee and Azareye’h Thomas
Both Brownlee and Thomas will get a chance to win starting jobs, at nickel and on the boundary, respectively. But the competition got a lot more crowded.
Brandon Stephens is locked into one of the outside starting roles. The job opposite him will be a competition among Thomas, free-agent signee Nahshon Wright and second-round pick D’Angelo Ponds. Wright had a league-high five interceptions for the Chicago Bears last season and Ponds was a star on a dominant Indiana defense. Ponds will likely also compete with Brownlee at nickel, though safety Minkah Fitzpatrick might wind up getting the majority of the reps at that spot.
Both Thomas and Brownlee showed flashes last season but, due to injuries — Thomas played in 12 with five starts, Brownlee played in seven for the Jets — neither put enough on film to lock down starting jobs before the offseason. Brownlee needs to cut back on penalties (he had six with the Jets).
If the Jets believed either deserves to be a no-doubt starter, they wouldn’t have invested so heavily in the position this offseason.
Winners: The pass rushers
Perhaps no group stands to benefit from coaching changes this offseason more than the edge rushers and defensive linemen. The Jets hired back Karl Dunbar, who was the team’s defensive line coach from 2012-14 and spent the last eight years on Mike Tomlin’s staff helping to develop Pittsburgh Steelers stars like TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward.
This group looks much better on paper regardless of coaching. No. 2 pick David Bailey and free-agent arrivals Joe Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare join Will McDonald at the edge, while the Jets also added T’Vondre Sweat, David Onyemata and rookie Darrell Jackson to the duo of Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips on the defensive line. McDonald in particular stands to benefit — he didn’t make much of a leap forward in 2025 after a breakout 2024 campaign.
“It’s been a blessing,” Bailey said about working with Dunbar. “He’s a great coach. He’s done a great job teaching me already. He’s already taught me a lot of things with my pass rushing and technique and just cleaning everything up. He’s got two sides — he’s a very fun, jovial guy but also a very stern coach who takes his job very seriously. I’m grateful to be under him.”
Loser: EDGE Tyler Baron
In the 2025 draft, the Jets traded up in the fifth round to get Baron out of Miami. Playing for one of the NFL’s worst defenses, he was a healthy scratch for most of the season before succumbing to a season-ending injury in Week 14. Baron finished with nine tackles, zero sacks and zero QB hits in six games, and now that the Jets have loaded up with new pass rushers this offseason he’ll be fighting to stick around on the 53-man roster.
Winner: LB Jamien Sherwood
Sherwood undeniably had a down season after a breakout 2024 that convinced the new Jets regime to sign him to a three-year, $45 million contract. Sherwood was misplaced as the team’s defensive leader and green-dot captain on defense, and struggled without the guidance of C.J. Mosley behind the scenes. Bringing in veteran Demario Davis should help — now Sherwood can divert his attention to flying around and making plays without having to worry as much about getting his teammates set up.
Most importantly for Sherwood, though: The Jets didn’t bring in any real competition for his starting job, which could have led to him potentially being traded away. If the Jets had taken Arvell Reese at No. 2, or Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez in the second round, it might have been a different story. Now, Sherwood will get a chance to prove himself again in a new defensive scheme with Glenn calling the plays.
Loser: TE Jeremy Ruckert
It’s hard to label Ruckert an offseason loser considering he just signed a contract extension (two years, $10 million) in December. But the reality is the Jets have now used a second-round pick (Taylor) and first-round pick (Kenyon Sadiq) on players at his position in the last two offseasons. Ruckert will still play a key depth role this season, primarily as a blocker, but his playing time will inevitably decrease if everyone stays healthy.
Though I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Jets run 13 personnel — three tight ends on the field — occasionally in 2026.
Winner: WR Adonai Mitchell
If it wasn’t clear how Glenn and Mougey felt about Mitchell already, their actions in the offseason provide the ultimate vote of confidence: The Jets have essentially added zero competition for Mitchell’s role.
Yes, they drafted Cooper in the first round, but Cooper is primarily a slot receiver, even if he can play on the outside too. Mitchell is locked in as the Jets’ “Z” receiver opposite Wilson, and he brings size (6-2, 205) and skill as a downfield weapon that the Jets don’t currently have elsewhere.
Perhaps Mougey still plans to add another wide receiver, but for now Mitchell feels pretty locked into the No. 2 wide receiver role. The only other receivers on the roster are Arian Smith, Quentin Skinner, Irv Charles, Jamaal Pritchett and a few undrafted rookies.