The Jets are in a unique situation this offseason as it pertains to free agency. They went all-in in 2025, restructuring contracts and signing players to deals with void years in hopes of making a championship run.
That didn’t work. The Jets finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season. Now they’re stuck with the tab of the players who brought very little on the field.
The Jets project to have $20.59 million in salary cap space, assuming a team cap of $272.5 million, per OverTheCap. That’s 20th-most in the NFL. That number will increase to $31 million if they cut Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers, and Allen Lazard. That figure isn’t horrible, but not great. New GM Darren Mougey will likely dabble in the second and third waves of free agency as a result.
The Jets are not void of talent, but still have holes they must fill this offseason. Quarterback, without Rodgers, is one. They also need a No. 2 and 3 receiver, tight end, right tackle, defensive tackle, No. 2 cornerback, and safety help.
While free agency won’t be the only place they turn to ease those concerns, here are five they could target when the legal tampering period begins…
Charvarius Ward, CB
The Jets hired Steve Wilks to be their defensive coordinator. This is a bit different than when Robert Saleh appointed Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich ran Saleh’s defense from the 49ers – not his own. Aaron Glenn wants to be the CEO and focus on the team. He was the Lions defensive coordinator, but the Jets defense will be Wilks’ to do with what he wants.
Ward might be a little out of the Jets budget, if he even shakes free from San Francisco. He’s still an intriguing option. The Jets need someone opposite Sauce Gardner, with D.J. Reed expected to test free agency. Ward had the best season of his career in his one working with Wilks. He finished with a ProFootballFocus grade of 84.7, highlighted by an 86.5 coverage mark. He picked off five passes and had 17 breakups.
Justin Fields, QB
The Jets could target a quarterback in the second or third round of the draft. At this point, it seems unlikely they trade up or select one seventh overall. Assuming Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) go some variation of No. 1, 2 or 3, there isn’t another quarterback worthy of a top-10 selection.
If the Jets choose to punt on their future quarterback this year, Fields makes sense in free agency. He can compete with Tyrod Taylor for the starting job. If Taylor ends up winning the job, Fields is an even better insurance policy.
The Jets did have a chance to draft Fields a few years ago. They instead took Zach Wilson as the Joe Douglas regime had concerns with Fields’ processing and ability to perform in the face of a rush. Douglas is out, though. Mougey might feel differently.
Carlton Davis, CB
The Lions, with Glenn as their defensive coordinator, traded for Davis from the Buccaneers last offseason. He was in the midst of a career year before suffering what became a season-ending jaw injury in Week 15. Davis posted a personal-best ProFootballFocus grade in overall defense (74.5), and the second best coverage (72.1) mark of his seven-year career.
The Jets want culture in their locker room – guys who have experienced winning. Davis won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and was a part of a very good Lions team last year. He can bring some of what Glenn likes to New York. The injury could also dampen his market some.
Darius Slayton, WR
Tee Higgins (Bengals) is the top receiver in free agency. He’s likely too rich for the Jets with the team also having to pay Garrett Wilson soon. Slayton, though, would be a nice complement and not cost nearly the same. The 28-year-old spent the first six years of his career with the crosstown Giants. He had 700-plus yards receiving four times. That’s impressive considering how horrific the Giants quarterback play was.
He’s a tremendous locker room presence and leader – someone who could help set the standard Glenn wants to implement. Slayton does sometimes struggle with drops, but is a very good deep threat. The Jets don’t have that on their roster at the moment.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Tyler Conklin is expected to test free agency. While neither he nor the Jets have ruled out a return, a departure would leave a hole to fill. Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz haven’t shown anything to this point to justify handing them the starting job.
The free agent class at tight ends isn’t overly robust. Johnson, who’s 28 and from Glassboro, NJ, is maybe the best there. He had 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns with the Saints last season. He caught seven touchdowns in 2022.
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