The Jets have long since been ruled out of playoff contention this season.
As they shift into evaluation mode for the remaining games, the team is faced with pivotal decisions looming in the upcoming offseason.
Gang Green is approaching a critical juncture with 27 players potentially entering free agency come March. Given their current standing, the organization is expected to overhaul a roster riddled with deficiencies.
Let’s delve into the significant free agents and assess their prospects of continuing with the Jets beyond this season.
RB Breece Hall
Speculation about Hall’s departure has been swirling since last spring’s NFL Draft. Even as the trade deadline approached, it seemed likely Hall would be moved, but the Jets ultimately retained him, feeling the trade proposals weren’t compelling enough.
Now, retaining Hall might be a necessity for the Jets for several reasons. With a probable change at quarterback for next season, the team would likely prefer not to pair a fresh QB with an inexperienced running back.
Hall would provide an excellent security blanket for a young quarterback because he has the skills to be a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield. He is also an electric runner who can score whenever he carries the football.
Now that they kept him at the trade deadline, the Jets must find a way to keep Hall in the green and white. If they cannot agree on a long-term contract, the Jets have the franchise tag in their back pocket, which they can use on Hall. The franchise tag for a running back in 2026 is expected to be around $14.1 million.
The Jets have several areas they need to address in free agency. Running back should not be one of them, at least not when you already have a player like Hall on the roster.
LB Quincy Williams
The writing appears to be on the wall with Williams. Not only did they ship his brother to Dallas at the deadline, but they have already given big money to Jamien Sherwood (three years, $45 million) last offseason.
In addition, Williams was briefly benched earlier this season before returning to his starting spot. Considering he will be 30 before the start of next season and his likely desire to get a payday from a contending team like the 49ers, the Jets will likely find other options at linebacker alongside Sherwood.
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
Vera-Tucker is one of the Jets best offensive linemen. However, injuries have plagued his five-year stint with the club. He played just 12 games combined during the 2022-23 season due to a torn triceps and a torn Achilles tendon. Vera-Tucker has missed the entire 2025 season because of a triceps tear.
With Tippmann likely staying at right guard due to how well he has performed, Vera-Tucker could be the odd man out on the offensive line. The Jets could also move him to left guard since they potentially could have a vacancy there.
OL John Simpson
In addition to Vera-Tucker, Simpson is also an impending free agent that the Jets will need to decide on. He was one of their better offensive linemen last year, but Simpson has committed a few too many penalties this year.
It seems like a Vera-Tucker/Simpson decision is coming and the Jets could choose the younger option. Vera-Tucker will be 27 in June, while Simpson turns 29 in August. Vera-Tucker could also get a prove-it deal from either the Jets or somewhere else, so that could factor into what the team decides to do.
OL Josh Myers
Myers was signed as the Jets’ backup center in case of an emergency. Well, disaster struck in the summer after Vera-Tucker’s season-ending injury and Tippmann was moved to right guard with Myers starting at center.
Myers has been serviceable, but the Jets could improve the position, which will help a young quarterback and the team’s rushing attack overall.
K Nick Folk
Folk has arguably been the Jets’ best offensive weapon this season. His age (41) is the only valid concern here, but the Jets should sign Folk to a low-risk, two-year contract they can get out of if he struggles.
QB Tyrod Taylor
Jets coach Aaron Glenn benched Justin Fields for Taylor before the team’s Week 12 loss to the Ravens. With all the assets acquired after dealing both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner at the deadline, the Jets seem to be poised to have a new quarterback in 2026.
It is possible that the Jets could bring Taylor back as their bridge quarterback to the potential rookie they select in the draft. It is worth noting that Taylor will be 37 at the start of next season.
DL Jowon Briggs
After trading Williams, Briggs has stepped into his starting spot and has been outstanding at stopping the run. He has also been solid at pressuring the quarterback.
Briggs will be an exclusive-rights free agent because he has fewer than three accrued seasons on an expiring contract. I can’t see any scenario in which the Jets don’t bring him back after the way Briggs has performed since he was acquired in August.
DL Micheal Clemons
Clemons has been an enigma for many Jets fans because he is sometimes out of position on both pass and run plays. But the coaching staff likes him, and he receives regular playing time. Don’t be surprised if the Jets re-sign Clemons to a cap-friendly contract for depth purposes.
TE Jeremy Ruckert
After the Jets selected Mason Taylor in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ruckert’s days became numbered. I can see the Jets maybe adding another veteran tight end opposite Taylor in free agency.
RB/KR Kene Nwangwu
Nwangwu is one of the league’s best returners, but availability is the best ability. He has had a difficult time staying on the field this season, but Nwangwu brings so much firepower to the special teams unit that the Jets would be unwise to move on from him.
WR John Metchie
Metchie will be a restricted free agent, which is a player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. He will be able to negotiate with other teams, but the Jets can match offers or receive draft-pick compensation.
Considering how he has played since joining the Jets in November, I expect Metchie to return next season to add depth to their receiver group.
Other players who won’t likely return in 2026: safety Andre Cisco, safety Tony Adams, defensive lineman Jay Tufele, wide receiver Josh Reynolds and tight end Stone Smartt.
