After beginning the season 0-7, the arrow has been trending up for the Jets.
They’ve gained three of their final 5 video games and appear to be a significantly better coached group.
It additionally helps that Jets coach Aaron Glenn benched Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor, which has opened up one other aspect of their offense. Gang Inexperienced’s protection has additionally improved after affected by missed tackles and gamers being out of place early within the season.
Clearly, it’s extremely unlikely the Jets (3-9) will make the playoffs for the primary time since 2010. However they may attempt to finish the season on a optimistic word. With a month left within the season, let’s reply a few of your questions on this week’s mailbag.
What are the three largest areas of want that the Jets should deal with to show this round in 2026? — @FranS3837
Clearly, it begins at quarterback regardless of Taylor being serviceable this season. Relying on how he performs through the remaining 5 video games of the season, the Jets may determine to carry Taylor — who’s an impending free agent — again in 2026 to be their bridge quarterback.
Fields is underneath contract for subsequent season, however the Jets may launch him with a June 1 designation and save $10 million. Along with presumably bringing Taylor again, I totally count on the Jets to pick out a quarterback sooner or later within the 2026 NFL Draft. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore are two quarterbacks who might be drafted early subsequent April.
As for the opposite wants, the Jets may use one other receiving menace reverse Garrett Wilson. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III each have a number of potential, however they want a extra constant weapon who can command consideration from the opposite aspect of the sector.
Quincy Williams is within the closing 12 months of his contract, and the Jets should add an even bigger linebacker reverse Jamien Sherwood, who has struggled this season. If the Jets determine to deal with the linebacker place within the draft, Ohio State’s Sonny Types and Missouri’s Josiah Trotter are two potential choices.
Justin Fields is a younger QB who has been horrendous this 12 months and has proven no enchancment over time. Do you assume the Jets transfer off of Charles London and the remainder of the QB employees? —@AmusedCynic1982
I’m undecided how honest it’s guilty Charles London and the Jets employees for a way inept Fields performed this 12 months. Fields had his points with accuracy and holding onto the ball too lengthy, even earlier than coming to the Jets.
Everybody is aware of Fields has all of the instruments you need in a quarterback. However it didn’t work with the Bears and Steelers, and it didn’t work with the Jets. Taylor hasn’t been nice this season, however not less than he pushes the ball down the sector, in contrast to Fields.
Fields held the ball too lengthy within the pocket and was extensively inaccurate. Perhaps London and the Jets teaching employees may have helped with that, however generally the gamers are simply who they’re. If something, the Jets ought to be extra at fault for the two-year, $40 million contract they gave Fields after they may have signed a participant like Jameis Winston for 2 years, $8 million.
Glenn hasn’t wavered in his plan to enhance the Jets tradition on and off the sector. With the group enjoying properly as of late, I don’t know if you wish to mess with the teaching employees. Nevertheless, something can occur, particularly with 5 video games remaining.
If Ohio State makes Mendoza look actually dangerous this weekend, does that quiet the trade-up discuss to take him within the draft? — @goessbo
One dangerous efficiency doesn’t make or break a participant. So even when Mendoza has a stinker and Indiana loses the Massive Ten Championship to Ohio State, I extremely doubt it will change a lot.
Ohio State has the perfect protection in school soccer, permitting simply 7.8 factors per sport. The Buckeyes’ protection has additionally allowed the fewest yards per sport (203).
Mendoza gained the 2025 Massive Ten Offensive Participant of the Yr after main the Hoosiers to a 12-0 file. He has additionally thrown for two,758 yards with 32 touchdowns and solely 5 interceptions. Mendoza can also be finishing 70.3% of his passes total and 49.2% when stress is in his face.
I imagine Mendoza suits the Jets’ offensive scheme completely as a result of not solely is he constantly correct, however he’s additionally sneaky athletic. At 6-5, 225 kilos, Mendoza has the prototypical measurement groups need in a quarterback, however he may also transfer properly sufficient to evade stress when issues begins to break down. As well as, he can assault all three ranges of any protection.
After dealing each Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams final month, the Jets have the draft capital to maneuver as much as choose Mendoza, if that’s the quarterback they’re genuinely in love with, get him. The Jets have been craving for a franchise quarterback for many years, they usually lastly have to get this proper to develop into a contending group down the highway.
