The New York Jets officially opened training camp just over a week ago in Florham Park, New Jersey. While that inherently means a bulk of their off-season business is done, there’s still loads that can happen between now and Week 1.
Make no mistake about it, the stakes are high, too. Unfortunately, the odds say that the Jets will not be contending for a Super Bowl victory this season. As identified by the folks over at MyTopSportsbooks, the vast majority of the most popular NFL sportsbooks have New York near the very bottom of their win totals hierarchies.
Yet, this sort of proves how critical the situation has become. The Jets have won more than seven games just once since 2015. And they have cleared eight victories only once since 2010. The organization desperately needs to get back on the right track.
To that end, here are three higher-stakes storylines to follow between now and the start of the regular season.
The Jets May Not Be Done Making Trades
General manager Darren Mougey has struck more than a dozen trades over the past calendar. And according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, New York’s lead executive may not be done making moves prior to Week 1:
“Darren Mougey is a proactive general manager who has made 13 player trades in the past 12 months. What’s up his sleeve this summer? They could use help at safety, quarterback (depth), linebacker (depth), and offensive line (depth). The player with the most trade value is edge rusher Will McDonald IV, and he could spark some interest from teams, as he did before last season’s trade deadline. In terms of contract extensions, it should be a quiet summer. Mougey got his work done early, locking up running back Breece Hall and guard Joe Tippmann.”
We would be a little surprised if the Jets brought in a quarterback via trade. They added both familiar face Geno Smith over the summer and also drafted Cade Klubnik out of Clemson in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Plus, the quarterback trade market isn’t that hot right now. Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints) and Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers) are the biggest names potentially on the chopping block right now. Neither of them is moving the needle all that much.
With that said, the Jets have clear-cut targets if they are looking to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Although in division trades are unlikely, linebacker Jordyn Brooks should be up for grabs given the direction of the Miami Dolphins. Mougey would do well to check on the availability of safety Budda Baker, whose Arizona Cardinals are also starting over.
Who Wins the Backup Quarterback Job?
Smith clearly has a stranglehold on the starting quarterback slot for the Jets. He isn’t working off the cleanest season with the Las Vegas Raiders, but, like, we’re talking about the Raiders. Las Vegas is currently the place all football hopes go to die.
Prior to linking up with the downtrodden Raiders, Smith cobbled together a nice stint with the Seattle Seahawks. During his time in The Emerald City, he improved as a passer and also a decision-maker when scrambling out of the pocket. The QB1 title is his for the foreseeable future unless New York remains crummy enough to emphasize player development midseason.
Speaking of player development, the organization seems pretty high on fourth-round QB Cade Klubnik. But they also have Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe on the docket. Early indications in camp show that it is Kludnik’s job to lose.
For our money, we would guess that the rookie Klubknik gets the nod. He is coming from a high-pedigree program at Clemson, and more importantly, the Jets need to know what they have in him ahead of a 2027 draft class teeming with talented QB options near the top of the first round.
The New York Jets No. 2 Wide Receiver Is…
After appearing in just five games last year, Garrett Wilson has New York’s No. 1 wideout slot on lockdown so long as he remains healthy. The second-in-command space remains wide-open, though.
Fans are no doubt rooting for Adonai Mitchell to get the job. The fourth-round pick from the 2024 class has shown unreal vertical speed, and at 6’2”, boasts excellent size for the position.
Still, Mitchell has been prone to getting bumped off his routes and dropping passes. Whether offensive coordinator Frank Reich can or plans to trust him remains to be seen.
If it isn’t Mitchell, attention shifts to Omar Cooper Jr., the 30th overall pick this past April. He provides a nice change of pace compared to Mitchell. Cooper isn’t as big, but he is the more physical receiver. And if there is any uncertainty under center, the Jets could favor a pass-catcher who can handle more contact and is already less likely to drop passes.
