The New York Jets enter the 2026 season facing plenty of uncertainty. After a disappointing year and major changes to the roster, some fans have already shifted their attention toward the franchise’s long-term future. Many believe another difficult season could improve the team’s draft position.
Former Jets player Damien Woody does not see it that way. He has spoken out against the idea of losing on purpose. Now, the Jets have a choice to make, whether to keep looking ahead or try to turn things around this season.
Damien Woody wants the Jets to stop losing
The Jets finished the 2025 season 3-14, and there was little to defend in the way they played. They were outscored by 203 points and ranked among the league’s least productive defenses in creating takeaways. That made it hard for fans to expect a quick turnaround in 2026. Some fans now view another losing season as a way for the franchise to improve its draft position.
Several offseason moves only strengthened that belief. The Jets traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, two key pieces of their defense. Those moves also helped give the team three first-round picks in the 2027 draft. With that kind of draft capital, some fans see a poor 2026 record as a chance to move up the board and put themselves in position for a quarterback the following year.
Woody pushed back on that idea in a post on X, writing, “Been seeing ‘tanking’ amongst some in the #Jets fan base and it’s the dumbest thing I’ve seen. Establishing a winning culture, especially with a young roster, is far more important than the perpetual cycle this organization has been in”
For Woody, the issue goes beyond where the Jets pick in the draft. He argued that the organization has spent too many years dealing with losing seasons, coaching changes and constant rebuilding. In his view, a young roster needs to learn how to compete, and that process matters more than worrying about draft position.
The Jets now face an important season. They have a young roster, several new additions and a new head coach in Aaron Glenn. The question is whether those changes will lead to meaningful improvement on the field.
Aaron Glenn must change the narrative
Whether Woody is right will ultimately depend on what happens during the season. Aaron Glenn has to get more from a Jets team that went 3-14 last year while ensuring the 2026 season remains competitive from the start.
The Jets have added several new faces. They used the No. 2 pick on edge rusher David Bailey. Veteran linebacker DeMario Davis also joins the defense, giving a young group some much-needed experience. Their impact could depend on how quickly they adjust to their new roles.
Bailey will be expected to make an impact rushing the passer, while Mitchell gives the offense another target on the outside. Davis can help steady a defense that has plenty of younger players. If those players make an immediate impact, the Jets should have a better chance of remaining competitive throughout the season.
But if the losses start piling up again, the talk around the 2027 draft will only get louder. Glenn knows continued struggles would bring even more attention to the team’s draft outlook. At the same time, he must continue developing the roster while keeping the focus on winning games.
The Jets do not need an immediate playoff breakthrough to support Woody’s point. What they need is clear progress and evidence that the organization is finally heading in the right direction.
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