New York Jets will head into the 2026 National Football League (NFL) season desperate to force their way back into play-off contention. The Jets have not progressed to the post-season since the 2010 campaign and will be eager to give their long-standing fans something to cheer about. Although odds of 400/1 to win the Super Bowl highlight the size of the task the Jets face, the players and coaching staff have been extremely bullish this summer. Given their confidence, fans who use NJ sportsbook promos to wager on the NFL may feel that the Jets are worth backing to end their play-off drought.
Veteran star eager to trigger improvement
A lack of experience resulted in the Jets posting a 3-14 record last season, which left them firmly rooted to the bottom of the AFC East standings. The Jets have sought to address that issue during the off-season, signing several talented veteran players including linebacker Demario Davis. The 37-year-old is now in his third stint with the club after signing a two-year, $22 million contract. He spent the previous eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Davis believes that his vast experience in the NFL can help to inspire a squad that has undoubtedly lacked leadership in recent years.
“When I look at what Woody (Johnson) and Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn are establishing, why they’re bringing me in is to model what they want that culture to look like,” Davis said recently on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“So, it’s not people are looking for me to come in and have all the right words. How can I be the example of what winning culture looks like?
“It’s the way that I attack the weight room, it’s the way that I study film, it’s the way that I take care of my body.”
Offensive line will be under pressure to deliver
The Jets scored just 300 points last season – only Tennessee Titans (284), Cleveland Browns (279) and Las Vegas Raiders (241) posted a lower tally in the NFL. Intriguingly, the Jets used the same offensive line combination in every game for the first time since 2012. Four of the five players will feature this season.
Jets’ offensive coordinator Frank Reich says Olu Fashanu, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann and Armand Membou are a ‘hungry group’ and believes they will help the Jets run the ball more effectively.
“They’re really physically talented,” Reich said. “They know what we’re trying to do. I sense a real consistency among the group and the right mentality.
“There is no weak link up there – mentally or physically. It’s a very high-functioning, mentally, like processing what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and seeing it done at a fast level. I’ve been very impressed by the group.”
With Alijah-Vera Tucker and John Simpson leaving the Jets this summer, they have turned to 2022 third-round draft pick Dylan Parham to fill the void.
His familiarity with quarterback Geno Smith, who has rejoined the Jets after a season with the Raiders, should be beneficial to the team.
“I bring physicality, athleticism and great mindset,” Parham said. “The experience that I have, I’ve played a lot of interior positions, centre and both guards. I’ll just bring the knowledge I have for the game.”
