On Sunday, November 30, 2025, the New York Jets were tied 24-24 with the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. They trotted out the-36-year-old backup QB Tyrod Taylor with just 35 seconds remaining in the game. The 15-year veteran overcame two offensive line penalties to move the Jets 19 yards to the Atlanta Falcons’ 38-yard line.
That’s when Head Coach Aaron Glenn called on 41-year-old Nick Folk to deliver the game-winning 56-yard field goal as time expired. The result was not a surprise considering Folk had discovered the fountain of youth —missing only three field goals in 81 attempts across his last three seasons.
Ironically, if the Jets had not had an experienced signal-caller and one of the league’s most reliable kickers, they may have lost the game and finished the season with a 2-15 record. For those of you keeping track at home, that would’ve given Gang Green the first overall draft pick last April, and presumably Fernando Mendoza would be backing up Geno Smith instead of fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik.
An Outstanding Offseason Tarnished By Two Curious Decisions
I am on record applauding the job that Glenn and GM Darren Mougey did in the offseason. Via free agency and trades, they acquired veteran leaders in Smith, Demario Davis, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Most experts felt their draft haul led by David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr, and D’Angelo Ponds was outstanding. Even Klubnik has received rave reviews for his character, poise, and ability to process information.
For me, the most encouraging development has been with the head coach. When Woody Johnson hired Glenn in 2025, the decision was met with approval across the league. The former Jet had earned respect in his years as a player, scout, assistant coach, and defensive coordinator. But all the goodwill went out the window as the losses piled up and Glenn’s media sessions showed little accountability and humility.
That’s completely turned around. Glenn brought in 12 new coaches, turned the offense over to Frank Reich, and agreed to take over the defensive play-calling duties. From a public relations standpoint, he’s dropped the Bill Parcells act at the podium. The kinder, gentler Glenn seems more comfortable.
The revamped coaching staff and upgraded talent should enable the Jets to look like a legitimate, professional football organization this season. That’s why I can’t understand why they let the two aforementioned competent veterans — Folk and Taylor — walk out the door without being replaced.
When the Jets let Folk escape to Atlanta, my assumption is they were looking to go younger. I expected them to use one of their many late draft picks on either Trey Smack or Dominic Zvada. Smack was selected in the sixth-round by the Green Bay Packers while Zvada was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent.
Both players will make their debuts this weekend, while the Jets will employ Jason Sanders, who is coming off an underwhelming offseason in which he was cut by the Miami Dolphins, the Giants, and even the Jets. Now, he’s been elevated from the practice squad for the Jets opener against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
No Safety Net
Meanwhile, do you think Glenn and Mougey got a little scare when they saw Sam Darnold go down after one series in the Seattle Seahawks opening-night win against the New England Patriots? It’s not like opening day injuries are uncommon for Jets QBs (see Testaverde, Vincent and Rodgers, Aaron).
Let me be clear — I like Klubnik. I know he was impressive during training camp because the same Jets beat writers who questioned trading up in the draft to select him after an underwhelming senior season at Clemson started to sing his praises.
But I’m never a proponent of a rookie NFL QB taking the field in September or October even if they are a first-round talent, let alone a fourth-rounder. If something were to happen to Geno Smith, it would be unfair to Klubnik to expect him to jump in at regular-season speed immediately.
More importantly, it would be unfair to all the other players and coaches who have worked so hard preparing for the season. We’re excited to see how Garrett Wilson, AD Mitchell, and Breece Hall operate in a functioning offense. If Smith rolls an ankle early in the season, that goes out the window.
Gang Green had plenty of cap space to retain Folk and Taylor or find suitable veteran replacements. They did neither.
If Smith stays healthy and Sanders regains the form he showed in 2024 before a devastating hip injury, this entire blog post is moot. But I’ll never understand why two seemingly smart men, who did a lot of outstanding work this offseason, didn’t see fit to bring in insurance policies.
New York Jets 2026 Prediction
Aside from kicker and backup QB, I’m bullish on the Jets’ talent. Let’s put it this way: if Joe Burrow and Smith suddenly traded places, I would be predicting 11 wins.
But even without that miracle, I believe the Jets are ready to turn the corner. I’m predicting them to finish with 8 wins, giving their fanbase optimism heading into the 2027 offseason when Mougey will be armed with bushels of cap space and three first-round picks.
Of course, that requires Smith to stay healthy at least through the first two months of the season while Klubnik gains experience. It is imperative the Jets keep him upright — and away from IK Enemkpali and the Davie, Florida police.
Because if you haven’t heard, they are attempting to fly without a net.
Season Prediction: 8-9