After fielding the 31st-ranked scoring defense last season, New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey knew what had to be done. With needs across all three levels, the Jets needed to retool the defense. With the NFL offseason underway, they got a major boost on Monday. Across five free agent signings and a big trade, the team is in a much better place. An impact safety to pair with Malachi Moore. Two young edge rushers who can get after the quarterback. Finally, a pair of familiar faces who were coached by Aaron Glenn before. Including a linebacker on his third stint with the Jets. Overall, a productive day in New Jersey.
Defensive Overhaul Is a Huge Start to Jets Free Agency
2025 was a year fans & players alike want to forget about. After going 3-14 and watching their defense and passing offense deteriorate, changes were needed. Especially the defense. Only the Dallas Cowboys allowed more points than the Jets last year. Even after the termination of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, things didn’t get better. Knowing his job is on the line, Aaron Glenn knew drastic measures were needed. First, a major step forward for the head coach was returning to calling plays for the defense. Afterwards, the team made a major addition at defensive tackle by trading for T’Vondre Sweat from the Titans.
With the free agency tampering period underway, the Jets got off to a big start. General manager Darren Mougey was active all day. After agreeing to four contracts with free agents and a major trade to help the secondary, the Jets are on the right track to fix this team.
Jets trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick
On Monday, New York got things started with a major trade. With a need for safety, the team had to find a starter opposite Malachi Moore. As a result, Darren Mougey made a major trade. First, the Jets agreed to a deal with the Miami Dolphins to acquire veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick. Not only that, New York immediately agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension. Due to his history with the new defensive coordinator Brian Duker and safeties coach Ryan Slowik, New York felt comfortable giving Fitzpatrick a new deal. Not only is the three-time All-Pro safety a great player, but he’s an excellent mentor for Malachi Moore.
Before coming to the NFL, Fitzpatrick won two national championships at Alabama. After playing for Nick Saban, Fitzpatrick was molded into one of the best defensive backs in the league. Coincidentally, Moore also played at Alabama for Nick Saban in his final years. By only giving up a seventh-round pick, it was a great move to address the secondary. Not only that, but provides a great veteran for Moore to learn from closely. Along with Fitzpatrick, the Jets signed former New York Giants safety Dane Belton to a one-year deal. Belton is coming off a career high of 120 total tackles last year and six career interceptions. After gaining a more prominent role, starting nine games in 2025, Belton is expected to be featured heavily on special teams.
All defense so far for the Jets:
🟩 S Minkah Fitzpatrick
🟩 EDGE Joseph Ossai
🟩 EDGE Kingsley Enagbare
🟩 LB Demario Davis pic.twitter.com/HNbJy0Hdi0
— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) March 9, 2026
Ossai & Enagbare provide depth on the edge
While the secondary got help, the Jets still needed assistance in the front seven. Fortunately, help arrived on the edge. Not only that, but they also signed two players under 26 years old who can get after the quarterback. First, they signed longtime Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Joseph Ossai. The Nigerian-born Texas native was drafted by the Bengals in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. After three years with the Texas Longhorns, a meniscus injury cost Ossai his entire rookie season. However, he went on to become a valuable piece of Cincinnati’s defensive line. During 2025, Ossai had a major breakout last year with five sacks through 17 games. After posting career highs in pressure and pressure rate, he can potentially compete with Will McDonald for a starting job opposite of projected second overall pick Arvell Reese.
In addition, Ossai wasn’t the only edge rusher New York signed. Once Ossai was signed, news broke of New York signing Kingsley Enagbare. Beginning his career in Green Bay, Enagbare was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. With 11.5 career sacks in his career, Enagbare isn’t the strongest of pass rushers. However, he truly shines as a run defender. Which will come in handy this season after Jermaine Johnson was sent to the Titans in the T’vondre Sweat trade. I expect Enagbare to rotate in and out of games as a run-stopping specialist.
Aaron Glenn reunites with an old run stopper
After a disastrous year, Aaron Glenn knew he’d need some old friends to help the team. Fortunately, Darren Mougey delivered. Starting on the defensive line, the interior got an upgrade with ex-Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata. The 10-year veteran was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round out of the University of Manitoba. During his rookie season, Onyemata and Aaron Glenn were in New Orleans together, with Glenn as the team’s secondary coach. They shared a sideline for five seasons before Glenn left the Saints to become Dan Campbell’s defensive coordinator on the Lions. Onyemata remained in New Orleans another two seasons before signing with the Falcons in 2023. Coming off a career high in tackles last year, Onyemata brings a productive veteran run stopper to the unit.
Homecoming (again) of a beloved linebacker
Finally, the Jets made another big move, this time to address their linebacker core. Not only that, they got someone both Aaron Glenn and the Jets are very familiar with. After spending the last eight years in New Orleans, New York signed linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year deal. For Davis, this will be his third time playing for the franchise. Davis originally joined the team in 2012 after the Jets drafted him in the third round out of Alabama State. After four seasons in New York, he left for the Cleveland Browns through free agency in 2016. However, Davis rejoined the Jets in 2017 after being traded for safety Calvin Pryor. Alas, Davis left New York once more to sign a three-year contract with the Saints in 2018.
After arriving in New Orleans, Davis became a force in the Saints defense. From 2019 to 2023, Davis made five consecutive All-Pro appearances, including first team in 2019. Davis has 13 seasons in a row with more than 50 solo tackles as well. While he’s 37 years old, Davis is still one of the more respected middle linebackers in the league. Along with his play on the field, he’ll also add some needed leadership to the locker room.
Main Photo: [Stephen Lew] – Imagn Images