Star player Geno Smith is making a strong impression on new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich during minicamp, providing some optimism for New York as they approach the 2026 season. The veteran quarterback is looking to bounce back after a challenging 2025 season with the Raiders, while the Jets are aiming to demonstrate that they can be more than just early contenders for the No. 1 pick in 2027.
Rex Ryan also made an appearance at Jets minicamp, partly because his son, Seth Ryan, is now the team’s passing game coordinator. This added an old-school Jets flavor to the week, but the real focus is on sorting out a roster that is filled with uncertainty.
Two Jets players are in danger of being cut after the 2026 minicamp. The team is not exactly overflowing with proven talent, which makes their roster situation perplexing, and bad teams typically have open spots, and rebuilding teams usually give fringe players longer opportunities.
However, New York finds itself in a unique position. Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich are attempting to build credibility swiftly, meaning that the final roster cannot simply be determined by seniority or past usefulness in other teams.
The Jets need clarity. Smith is confirmed as the starter, but everything behind him feels unsettled, and the receiver group also has several players competing for a limited number of meaningful roles. While minicamp did not determine the final cuts, it did heighten the pressure on players who may be caught in a numbers game or positioned unfavorably on the depth chart.
Two veterans stand out as players who could enter training camp with more pressure than comfort:
Bailey Zappe, QB
Cleveland Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) looks on during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Bailey Zappe may currently have the upper hand for the No. 2 quarterback position, but that does not guarantee his safety. This might sound contradictory, but the Jets’ backup quarterback situation is quite muddled.
Glenn has stated that the team intends to create competition behind Smith, and the candidates include Zappe, Brady Cook, and rookie Cade Klubnik. Klubnik missed time in the spring due to back spasms, which temporarily worked to Zappe's advantage, but that edge may not last.
Zappe's case is simple: he has regular-season experience, familiarity with NFL offenses, and can provide the coaching staff with a reliable baseline during camp. For a team starting over with a new offensive coordinator, this is important.
However, the issue lies in his potential. New York did not draft Klubnik in the fourth round only to consign him to the bench immediately, and although the rookie's spring was disrupted, the organization still has a developmental interest in him.
Cook also has enough familiarity with the team to remain in contention, and once training camp begins, the Jets will need to decide whether the backup quarterback position will prioritize short-term reliability or long-term potential. This puts Zappe in a precarious position.
The Jets are not constructed like a team that can justify carrying extra quarterbacks solely for comfort because they need depth at receiver, offensive line, cornerback, and special teams, and while it is possible to carry three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster, it becomes more challenging when the third option lacks significant developmental promise that the staff wants to nurture.
Zappe must consider trust over excitement. A strong training camp would demonstrate to Reich that the offense could function effectively if Smith were to miss time, and a clean operation, quick decisions, and low-risk throws could secure him the QB2 position. Conversely, a lackluster preseason would quickly shift the conversation, especially with a rookie eager to regain his standing.
The harsh truth is that while Zappe’s experience may help him secure a spot during the summer, it could also limit his ceiling. Teams generally hesitate to allocate roster spots to quarterbacks who seem replaceable. New York could still look to bring in a player from outside the organization before Week 1, and Glenn has not indicated that this competition is settled.
This leaves Zappe in a challenging situation. He’s in a favorable position but lacks the security to be complacent.
Tim Patrick, WR
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.
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Tim Patrick is the kind of veteran player who makes sense on paper, but he could be at risk due to roster constraints. He brings size, experience, and a professional attitude to a receiving corps that includes several younger players vying for positions. For a quarterback like Smith, who needs reliable targets while adjusting to a new offensive system, having a veteran wideout can be beneficial. Patrick has played significant snaps in the NFL and knows how to navigate through contact.
That’s the positive side.
The challenge arises from the team’s current depth chart. Garrett Wilson is clearly the primary receiver. Adonai Mitchell is listed as a first-team outside option, while Omar Cooper Jr. is expected to play in the slot. Arian Smith, Isaiah Williams, and several younger depth receivers are also competing for spots, creating a dilemma for a veteran who may not provide the same developmental appeal as younger players or the special teams value that back-end players might offer.
Patrick’s challenge goes beyond just making catches in training camp; he must demonstrate that he has a role that fits within the roster's construction.
The Jets are not yet a fully formed offense, as they need speed, growth, and players who can develop alongside the quarterback. While Patrick’s experience is valuable, that alone becomes less significant when a team focuses on getting younger and faster.
A veteran receiver who does not clearly project as one of the top three targets must prove his worth through dependability, blocking capabilities, red-zone performance, and leadership, and this could be sufficient.
Patrick’s size provides him with a different profile compared to many of the smaller or more explosive receivers around him. A player capable of excelling in possession routes and contributing to the run game should be appealing to a coaching staff seeking to make Smith comfortable.
The concern is that New York’s front office may favor younger players with more upside, especially those who can contribute on special teams, and a veteran who primarily plays as a receiver must be demonstrably better on offense.
That sets a tough standard for any player on the roster bubble.
Patrick’s path to securing a spot hinges on his ability to be more than just a camp stabilizer. He needs to show the Jets that his size and reliability can make a difference in actual games, especially on third downs and in the red zone, and without establishing that distinction, the younger players behind him become more appealing.
This is how veterans can find themselves in difficult situations, and New York’s roster still has plenty of uncertainty, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets extra time.
Neither player’s future is set in stone, in the end, as both could make the roster with strong performances in training camp. However, after minicamp, their situations are worth monitoring, as the Jets aim to construct a roster with intention.
Star player Geno Smith is making a strong impression on new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich during minicamp, providing some optimism for New York as they approach the 2026 season. The veteran quarterback is looking to bounce back after a challenging 2025 season with the Raiders, while the Jets are aiming to demonstrate that they can be more than just early contenders for the No.