The first week of NFL free agency came and went as the New York Jets took the first steps in building a new team that can compete in 2026. New York had one clear focus going into free agency, and that was rebuilding the defense with depth and veteran leadership.
They kicked it off by trading for Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick just hours before free agency opened, getting an established player to lead their secondary as they extended him to a three year 40 million dollar deal with the trade. Fitzpatrick is 29, whose elite days are probably behind him, but he is still a good player who will add needed leadership to New York’s defense.
New York followed up that move by signing 37-year-old middle linebacker Demario Davis, who is making his return to the Jets. Davis, who will surely be the captain of this defense, once played for New York from 2012 to 2015. Davis, whose best days are also probably behind him, is still a good football player who, most importantly, will be a good leader in the locker room and on the field for the Jets.
That is the key with these two moves, it’s adding experience to what is a young team, moves that can help shift the culture. Fitzpatrick and Davis most likely aren’t going to give the Jets all-pro play, but the hope should be that they can still play at a solid level while being huge leaders for the team.
The headliner for New York, though, came when New York traded for their apparent starting quarterback in 2026. Geno Smith is back with the Jets for a second stint after the team traded for him from the Raiders. Once again, Smith’s best days are probably behind him. He did not play well in 2025 behind a bad Raiders team. The positive for New York is that Smith probably can’t be worse than what the Jets had at quarterback in 2025, so technically an upgrade.
Smith by no means is going to light it up for New York, but it’s a good comeback story, and he should do alright at least for the team as a potential transitional quarterback. At worst, he should be able to at least give Garrett Wilson a productive year.
New York also made key depth signings at defensive end, signing both Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. Neither player jumps off the page, but they are good value signings with potential. The Jets aren’t an attractive destination for players; they were never gonna make the flashy big signings. This was always the move: make solid, small moves to build out the team and hope some of these players can produce.
They kept adding to the defense with signings like Defensive Tackle David Onyemata, Safety Dane Belton, and Cornerback Nashon Wright, who had five interceptions last season. Only time will tell how impactful any of these players are for New York, but they fill needs. Free agency for the Jets was all about rebuilding the defense, while the draft will be heavily focused on the offense.
New York, also in a good move, was able to trade Justin Fields away to the Chiefs for a sixth-round pick. They were able to save some money and gain draft capital for Fields instead of just outright cutting him, a positive move.
New York’s offseason isn’t flashy; it doesn’t jump off the page, but they have made good moves in improving the team. They have brought in good depth, and they have added veteran leadership and experience. The Jets have had a solid offseason, and the contracts have been long-term friendly.
The reality is the Jets aren’t going to be able to turn it around in one offseason; there is a lot of work to be done, but they have done a good job so far. I think the Jets have earned a B grade for free agency. They have made moves in the right direction and now have set themselves up for a productive draft.
There are a lot of ifs, but if New York can hit on their draft picks, especially with getting another productive receiver, and Smith can be somewhat competent at Quarterback, the Jets should be improved from last season. Will they be good enough to break the playoff drought? Probably not, but with all the moves they have made so far, they should be more competitive than last season.
