The wait is over. With reportedly more than $74 million in cap space and several needs, the Jets will Monday at noon be permitted to negotiate with agents of players who are set to become unrestricted free agents. While the 2026 League Year and free agency/trading periods won't begin until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, action is about to heat up throughout the league.
"Starting in free agency, feel really good about the cap space we have," said GM Darren Mougey at the NFL Combine. "I believe we'll be able to add some good players during this free agency process to the team that will help us with really a focus of, if you look at our roster right now, we got one of the younger rosters in the NFL if you exclude all the free agents and RFAs. An opportunity to add some veteran players, some veteran leadership at certain positions."
The Jets are one of several clubs who could be addressing the quarterback position early in free agency. The Arizona Cardinals informed Kyler Murray that he will be released on Wednesday, when the new league year begins. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of five players in NFL history throw for more than 20,000 yards and run for more 3,000 yards in their seven seasons. Geno Smith, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2013 who spent his first four seasons in green & white, will be released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday. In three seasons as a starter with the Seahawks from 2022-24, Smith hit on 68.2% of his passes while averaging 3,948 pass yards and 22 TDs and 12 INTs. Malik Willis is an intriguing dual threat who doesn't have a ton of experience but has flashed a ton of potential. Teams can negotiate with the former Packers' QB on Monday.