The New York Jets will kick off their preseason schedule against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, following two high-intensity practices and two weeks of training camp in the books
Geno Smith returned to the Jets via trade from the Raiders
Geno Smith returned to the Jets via trade from the Raiders(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
The New York Jets are on the runway for the 2026 NFL season.
With training camps well underway and preseason games kicking off across the country, football is back on the menu. After going 3-14 last season in head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season at the helm, the Jets are looking to take a big step forward.
The draft brought the likes of David Bailey, Cade Klubnik, and Omar Cooper to New York, while the Jets also traded for Geno Smith. He is set to be the starting quarterback to begin the season, and the veteran has taken first-team reps throughout training camp.
Here are the players that have stood out in Jets training camp, as well as two of the biggest headlines so far:
Geno Smith
After having the likes of Justin Fields and Zach Wilson lead the Jets in recent years, Smith is a breath of fresh air at Florham Park. The 35-year-old is able and willing when it comes to throwing the ball, and he took a step forward during Wednesday’s second joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Smith finished practice against a competitive Bucs defense, having gone 10 of 17 with a touchdown in the red zone. He made impressive throws to Garrett Wilson and connected well with tight end Mason Taylor, while first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq is sidelined due to hernia surgery. Smith will undoubtedly start as Klubnik, who has shown flashes of potential but remains somewhat rusty, which is to be expected of a second-round rookie quarterback taking part in his first camp.
Adonai Mitchell
One player whose relationship with Smith is clear to see when the offense takes to the field is Adonai Mitchell. Having arrived with the Jets as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, Mitchell was one of several receivers who traveled down to Florida to get reps in with Smith ahead of the new season — and the move paid dividends through the first two weeks of training camp.
Mitchell is more comfortable than he was when he started with the Jets midway through last season, and it has shown in his quick start to camp. He hauled in passes from Smith on various routes — hitch, out, slant — and his showing has been promising ahead of his first full season in green.
Sign up to our NFL newsletter here
Adonai Mitchell has hit the ground running in his first training camp with the Jets
Adonai Mitchell has hit the ground running in his first training camp with the Jets(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Armand Membou
Through two weeks of training camp, several players have made an impression at Florham Park. Sophomore tackle Armand Membou has proved to be one of the best players on the field so far, and certainly an offensive standout as he has admirably protected Smith and opened up holes for Breece Hall in the run game.
During one-on-one drills, where players are desperate to test themselves and prove their might against one another, Membou blocked Will McDonald all the way around the pocket and into the turf. McDonald beat Membou with a spectacular spin move on one play, but the first-round tackle looks like he has taken an exciting step forward.
Health concern
On Tuesday, cornerback Qwan’Tez Stiggers departed joint practice in an ambulance. He passed out after getting to the sidelines, and Jets players gathered around Stiggers, who was promptly given an IV before he was taken off the field on a stretcher and loaded into the back of an ambulance.
The 24-year-old was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital, with Glenn confirming that he was conscious. The Jets have since released an update on Stiggers’ health, writing: “Qwan’tez Stiggers has been released from the hospital and is home recovering.” He is now in concussion protocol and on the way back.
Fight club
The Bucs and Jets held two joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. On both days, tempers boiled over in the East Coast heat.
On Tuesday, Buccaneers right tackle Luke Goedeke appeared to shove Jets rookie defensive end Bailey following their one-on-one pass-rush drill. The pass rusher, selected No. 2 overall, didn’t take kindly to the gesture and shoved his rival back, instigating a team-wide scrum. Goedeke found himself at the center of another melee that kicked off after Jets safety Jarius Monroe intercepted Baker Mayfield, as the 27-year-old could be seen hurling a New York helmet around 20 yards across the field.
Then, Membou had his helmet ripped off by Buccaneers defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, leading to yet another scuffle. The day concluded when Jets defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. took on nearly half of the Buccaneers offense in a shoving match to mark the final fight of the afternoon.
Neither team got it out of their system. On Wednesday, two big fights broke out, with Isaiah Williams ending up on the turf while receiver Tim Patrick was also at the heart of the feisty clash. Dylan Parham also got involved in a clash with Bucs players, while Robinson could be heard exchanging words with Jets staff.
After two hotly contested practices and over two weeks of intense training camp, the Jets return to football and kick off their preseason against the Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 13.