After a difficult 3-14 season, the Jets announced a raft of changes to their coaching staff last week. Head coach Aaron Glenn is under pressure to demonstrate progress in 2026 and has brought in several fresh faces on each side of the ball.
On offense, the Jets brought in Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator, Bill Musgrave as the quarterbacks coach and Seth Ryan as the passing game coordinator, along with a few other minor changes.
Let’s consider where these changes could have an impact on the team in 2026 and beyond at each position:
Quarterbacks
The Jets need to start over at the quarterback position and must ensure they not only identify the best candidate for the starting role but also do a good job of developing any young quarterbacks they bring in. Reich and Musgrave have had success working with young quarterbacks during their careers and hope to be able to emulate that with the Jets.
New York is sure to explore free agency and the trade market in addition to the draft, and there are a few players who could be available with connections to the new staff. For example, Carson Wentz had Reich as an offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, and Musgrave was the offensive coordinator for Derek Carr, who is reportedly planning to unretire, during the second and third years of his career.
Perhaps the best veteran option with a connection to the new offensive staff is Jacoby Brissett, who spent three seasons in Indianapolis with Reich as his head coach. He started 15 games for him in 2019, winning seven. Brissett showed last season that he can still play at a high level. However, the 33-year-old is still under contract with the Cardinals, so the Jets would have to engineer a trade and give up some compensation.
Developing a rookie quarterback will also be an organizational priority, although that could be a later pick or even something that the Jets opt to delay until next year, when they have three first-round picks. Musgrave had at least some success at times working with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders this past season in Cleveland, but could fare much better with a higher-profile prospect.
Offensive line
The key to the Jets’ offensive line is continuity. The line had the same starting line-up for all 17 games last season and, as a result, they were the team’s most reliable unit.
No changes have been made, although there was some speculation that Greg Roman could be enticed aboard, either to replace the current offensive line coach, SteveHeiden, or to work alongside him as a running game coordinator. Heiden, who, unlike his predecessor Keith Carter, is popular among the Jets players, will return in the same role, though, adding to that continuity.
There is only one member of that starting five, John Simpson, who isn’t currently under contract for 2026, although he has indicated a desire to return. The status of Alijah Vera-Tucker, who is also out of contract after missing the entire 2025 season, remains up in the air, too.
Running backs
There is also coaching continuity in the offensive backfield with Nic McKissic-Luke returning as the running backs coach. However, there will be major personnel changes if the Jets cannot re-sign free agent Breece Hall.
Hall, who rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career in 2025, is out of contract, although he may be a candidate for the franchise tag, which will enable the Jets to retain his rights. Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen are good rotational options, but if Hall leaves, the Jets look likely to bring in a new starter.
Pass catchers
The Jets have a new tight ends coach with plenty of experience, as Alfredo Roberts joins Glenn’s staff after five years in Pittsburgh. Mason Taylor will be looking to build on a solid rookie season at the position, while Jeremy Ruckert had the best year of his career so far to earn himself a two-year contract extension.
Steelers tight end Connor Heyward is a pending free agent and could be the kind of player that the Jets will seek to bring in due to his connection with Roberts. He would add depth to the unit and provide the Jets with an upgrade to their blocking.
Shawn Jefferson, the only holdover above assistant level from Robert Saleh’s staff, returns as the wide receivers coach. While Garrett Wilson should be a major contributor as usual if healthy, Jefferson will play a key role in terms of developing any rookies that are brought in, as well as trying to unlock the untapped potential in Adonai Mitchell.