FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets are halfway between the end of last season, one of the worst in franchise history (3-14), and the start of a new one -- a good time to take the temperature.
Ten takeaways from this offseason:
1. Better roster, same big question: Coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, in their second offseason together, have upgraded the talent at most positions, but it always comes back to quarterback with this franchise.
Geno Smith, 35, plucked off the scrap heap to replace Justin Fields, has made a positive impression in the building. From all indications, he's highly motivated to rewrite his Jets legacy, but ...
He has a league-high 32 interceptions over the past two seasons, including 17 last year (most in the NFL) for the Las Vegas Raiders. Was that a byproduct of pass-protection issues and offensive dysfunction in Las Vegas or a sign that the former 4,000-yard passer is on the decline?
It's fair to wonder about the latter scenario, considering Smith ranked 21st in QBR while throwing from a clean pocket (no pass-rush pressure) -- 17 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who has had success with older quarterbacks, believes Smith's experiences -- the good and the bad -- will be a positive.
"They come in not only with scars, but they come in with some pelts on the wall -- a lot of things that they've accomplished," Reich said of veteran QBs. "And both of those things will help us be a better offense and a better team."
2. No rush to add another veteran QB: The flirtation with free agent Russell Wilson has garnered a lot of attention, but the Jets aren't sweating out his decision. For now, they're content to stand pat, letting Brady Cook, Cade Klubnik and Bailey Zappe handle the backup reps. They're excited to see more of Klubnik, a fourth-round pick. The former Clemson star, coming off a disappointing 2025 season, impressed last weekend in rookie minicamp.
"We're talking to a number of veteran quarterbacks, but I will say this," Glenn said. "I'm happy with our quarterback room. I mean, obviously, you guys know how I feel about Geno, and getting a chance to get Cade, a guy that we traded up for that we really targeted and allowing him to get these reps, that's something that we look forward to."
3. Glenn has no excuses on defense: He hired himself as the new playcaller -- playcalling is his "superpower," he said -- and brought in a slew of new starters, perhaps as many as eight. In other words, they took a wrecking ball to last year's defense, which allowed 503 points (second most in franchise history).
This is Glenn's defense, built in Glenn's vision.
They imported seasoned vets such as safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive lineman David Onyemata -- one for each level of the defense -- hoping they can provide short-term stability while reducing the burden on the younger players.
What they've done is raise the floor. The ceiling depends on how much they can squeeze out of the older vets and how quickly the young players develop -- i.e., the second overall pick last month in David Bailey.
4. Robert Saleh's defense is history: The former Jets head coach helped build one of the league's better defenses in 2022 and 2023, but the only notable holdovers from the Saleh era are edge rusher Will McDonald IV and linebacker Jamien Sherwood.
5. Bailey needs to be a force multiplier: That's because the rookie edge rusher has more upside than any player on the defense. As such, his ability to put the quarterback on the ground (an FBS-leading 14.5 sacks last season) is the main reason why they picked him over versatile linebacker Arvell Reese.
Bailey will be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the base defense, moving to end in the four-man line. He will be used in different ways in the sub package, according to Glenn -- who noted that Bailey's first-step quickness stood out in rookie camp.
"He will be an exciting guy to coach, I will tell you that," Glenn said.
6. Fresh legs on offense: While the focus on defense was to add experience in the offseason, the offense leaned toward youth, particularly at the skill positions. Instead of rolling with recycled veterans on the downside like they did last year (see: Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson), they used first-round picks on tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and endorsed receiver Adonai Mitchell -- whom they acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade in November -- as a key part of the plan.
There are bound to be growing pains with so many young players, but it might be the fastest offense they've had in some time.
7. A Hall of a change: The Jets made Breece Hall the fourth-highest-paid running back with a three-year contract that averages $14.5 million per year. This represents a philosophical shift from last year.
When Glenn first arrived, he said Hall would be part of a three-man committee, which fueled several months of trade speculation. They resisted the temptation to trade Hall, who won over Glenn with his 1,065-yard rushing performance last season.
As a result, the committee is history. You don't pay a running back $14.5 million a year to be in a time-sharing situation; that wouldn't be an effective use of cap space.
With the significant commitment to Hall, who will make $29 million guaranteed in 2026 and 2027, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Jets start receiving trade inquiries on Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
8. Mougey-mania: Mougey, a relative unknown when he was hired, has established himself as a savvy wheeler and dealer. This offseason, he struck early with trades for Fitzpatrick and nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat, later acquiring Smith in an inexpensive trade that will cost them $3.3 million in cash. In the draft, he moved up for Cooper and Klubnik, two players he was targeting at the start of the draft.
It's premature to label them successful trades, but each one was based on logical rationale. That wasn't always the case in previous regimes. Ultimately, Mougey will be judged by how he solves the perpetual quarterback riddle.
9. Glenn's role: His takeover as the defensive playcaller may have fueled the perception that he spends his days in the defensive meeting room, focused solely on that side of the ball.
Not true, according to Reich, who said Glenn "has been very involved [with the offense] -- asking a lot of questions, giving me what his vision for the whole team is, how that fits offense, defense, special teams. We go back and forth on things in the most dynamic of ways."
Glenn feels comfortable leaving the defense in the hands of first-time coordinator Brian Duker, who knows Glenn's system from their time together on the Detroit Lions.
10. What if? You can't help but wonder how all this would look if Nick Folk hadn't made that game-winning, 56-yard field goal as time expired against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 30 -- the Jets' final win. Chances are, you'd be reading a lot about No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza's acclimation to the Big Apple.
