“John Harbaugh just said that Jason Sanders’ kicking style wasn’t a ‘perfect fit’ for the winds out here,” New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy stated on X.

As Dunleavy noted, Harbaugh and New York’s explanation for why Sanders wasn’t a good fit is one that was immediately put into question. Are the winds blowing through the Giants‘ facilities in East Rutherford any different than the gusts at Florham Park, the Jets‘ home? A 40-minute drive separates the two New York teams’ training grounds, and it’s hard to imagine the climatic conditions can be any different.

Sanders could prove Giants wrong

If Sanders struggles to establish himself with the Jets, however, then Harbaugh and the Giants may be proven right. If not, and on the contrary, Sanders goes on to make Gang Green’s 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season and has a strong year while the G-Men’s kicking crew struggles (like last year), then it could be the first swing and a miss on Harbaugh’s strike count in the Big Apple.

Regardless, Harbaugh has been around special teams his entire coaching career. At the very least, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. If there’s something about Sanders’ kicking style that bugs him in the beautiful days of spring, those concerns would only grow bigger deep into the season in the tundra-like environment that MetLife Stadium will become.

Moreover, the Jets have been on the wrong end of wagers way too many times not to imagine they could make a mistake again. If it comes down to it, the odds will favor the Giants to get the decision right and the Jets to slip up.

Kicking competitions on Giants and Jets

Cutting Sanders is only one step along the way for the G-Men. Big Blue has two young kickers competing for the starting job, Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls. Based on the reports out of their first day of competition, it’s safe to say who is leading the race.

As reported by Giants insiders, Zvada went 13-for-13 on field-goal attempts during the team’s practice on Tuesday, whereas Sauls struggled, connecting on four of 10 on Wednesday. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but Sauls must pick up the pace if he wants to come away with the job.

As for the Jets, the signing of Sanders came hand in hand with the release of Younghoe Koo, also a former New York Giant. As it stands, Aaron Glenn’s team is setting up a head-to-head competition between Cade York and Jason Sanders.

“Wilson may not be retiring, but at least a pause on his playing career,” Ian Rapoport reported on his X account.

If Wilson indeed goes through with his new job opportunity, he’d likely sit out for the entire 2026 NFL season. However, the door will remain open for him to return if he feels like it and an opening presents itself around the league.

It’s happened before

It would be surprising, but not unprecedented. The NFL has seen players take a year off and return to action before, and Wilson could be another example to join that list. Last season, for example, quarterback Philip Rivers came out of retirement to join the Indianapolis Colts amid a QB injury crisis during the regular season.

For Wilson, if he wants to step on the gridiron again, he would have to quit the job he recently accepted at CBS Sports. It goes against NFL rules and policy for members of an NFL organization to be part of game-day coverage for television networks.

Wilson’s new job on TV

As first reported by Ryan Glasspiegel, Wilson is taking a job with CBS Sports over an offer from the Jets. Wilson will be replacing Matt Ryan, who left the slot vacant to become president of football for the Atlanta Falcons, on CBS’ NFL Today pregame show on Sundays.

Jets QB depth chart

As for the Jets, they are missing out on the Super Bowl XLVIII champion, but they have already named Geno Smith their starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. Moreover, New York trusts that rookie Cade Klubnik can develop into an important player while learning behind Geno.

The Jets’ QB depth chart is rounded out by Bailey Zappe, who is currently considered the backup quarterback, and Brady Cook, who is the early frontrunner to be the odd man out by the time New York announces its 53-man roster.

Per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Wilson said that his knee is feeling great during practice. That is absolutely great news for the Jets, as Wilson is the undoubted, undisputed WR1 of the team.

Wilson has four seasons in the NFL, and in the first three of them, he got more than 1,000 yards. This means that, when healthy, he is an unstoppable receiver regardless of who’s throwing the football to him.

NY Jets revamped WR depth chart for 2026 NFL season

Wilson is the WR1 of the team. However, the Jets made it a theme to improve the wide receiver department. The Jets drafted wideout Omar Cooper Jr. and brought Tim Patrick. They also have Adonai Mitchell since last year.

Other wideouts on the roster are Arian Smith, Isaiah Williams, Jamaal Pritchett, Quentin Skinner, and undrafted free agents Malik McClain, Caullin Lacy, and DT Sheffield. The first four wideouts are good ones for the Jets.

Geno Smith has developed good chemistry with Wilson

Wilson also spoke recently on new teammate and starting quarterback of the team, Geno Smith. Wilson said Smith throws a very “friendly ball.“ Chemistry between quarterback and wideout is key for an offense to work.

Hence, having Wilson and Smith creating that chemistry right from the OTAs is spectacular news for a team in desperate need for success. Whether it will all work out for the Jets remains to be seen, but there are good early signs at least.

In Week 4 of last season, Braelon Allen suffered a pretty serious knee injury. It cost him the rest of the season, but now that he is back, the Jets finally have their RB2 of the team in rock-solid status.

In his rookie season in 2024, which his only full season, he racked up 92 rushes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. He stands behind Breece Hall on the Jets RB depth chart, which makes this room a very strong one.

Braelon Allen’s skill set is very useful for the NY Jets

Allen is a big-sized running back. A 6’1″, 240 lbs-back, Allen is great for short-yardage dominance. That is very helpful for third and fourth downs. His physicality helps the team move the chains and gain yards after initial contact.

He also brings a play relief to the team. His big size and ability to absorb contact make possible to rest Breece Hall for a couple of series and still give the Jets a physical, strong running game.

Will the NY Jets have a good running game in 2026?

The fact that the Jets have a great couple of running backs should mean that the Jets are among the best rushing games. However, they are constantly behind on the scoreboard, so they don’t usually run as much.

New offensive coordinator Frank Reich is highly regarded for designing and implementing productive running games. Throughout his coaching career, he has consistently adapted his ground attacks to suit his personnel.

Per head coach Aaron Glenn, Sadiq is expected to be fully fit for training camp, so it’s not like he is in jeopardy to miss any time in his rookie season. Glenn also said the Jets knew Sadiq had to undergo this procedure begore the NFL Draft.

Sadiq was one of three first-round picks the Jets had in 2026. He got picked at 16th overall, while linebacker David Bailey was the second overall pick, and wideout Omar Cooper Jr. was selected at No.30.

Sadiq is expected to play a major role on NY Jets offense

As a first-round pick and a versatile pass-catching threat, Sadiq is expected to get many looks. He will be utilized to stretch the field, create mismatches, and provide a much-needed explosive element.

He is a freak tight end, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, Sadiq could beat pretty much any linebacker in coverage. New Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich should be lining Sadiq up in the slot, inline, and even out of the backfield if he wants to get really creative. Sadiq is an X-Factor.

NY Jets could use a lot of 12-personnel

The Jets could see 12-personnel formations be a daily thing for them. In fact, it could be a focal point of the offense. Sadiq is the explosive tight end, while second-year Mason Taylor is a safe-handed target.

Also, 12-personnel could open up the running game and the Jets have a great blocking TE in Jeremy Ruckert too. Hence, if Reich is clever, he could make the Jets a tight-end-heavy offense without sacrificing the wideouts or the running game.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets want to see what Klubnik can do before adding a more established veteran backup. Wilson is considered the top target for New York should they acquire another seasoned signal-caller ahead of the 2026 NFL campaign.

As it stands, however, whether Wilson is actually interested in playing again next season remains uncertain. Wilson has two offers on the table, and they could not be any more different. Per NBC, Wilson is torn between joining the Jets and taking a television job at CBS.

Wilson’s numbers in 2025

Coming off a concerning campaign with the Giants last season, the Jets should know exactly what to expect from Wilson should he sign with the club in Florham Park. In 2025, Wilson was named the starting quarterback for the G-Men, but lasted only three weeks in that role.

He did put on a vintage performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2’s 40-37 overtime loss, including a miraculous moon ball that took fans all across the league back in time. However, his performances in both the opening week and Week 3 led to the Giants starting Jaxson Dart, and the quarterback debate was over.

Aside from a couple of snaps here and there, Wilson virtually did not see the field again. If he were to join the Jets, it could signal they have concerns about heading into the season with Klubnik as the backup quarterback to Geno Smith. Perhaps having Wilson in that role is the safer option.

Klubnik looked good so far

Still, the Clemson alum has shown flashes during the offseason, and New York may be just shy of having all its potential doubts cleared. The Jets’ fourth-round pick (110th overall) impressed during rookie camp, but it remains to be seen if he can stand out when more experienced players join practices.

Per Sports Illustrated, the Jets’ organized team activities (OTAs) will take place on May 27-29, June 1-2, 4, and 8-11. Thus, if a decision is to be made on Wilson, it would most likely occur after June 11. By then, the Jets should have a clear view of where Klubnik stands and where he can take them.

As reported by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants will hold only one joint practice during the preseason, and it will be with the Miami Dolphins. Although the two New Jersey-based teams will meet in Week 3 of the preseason, the Jets and Giants will not practice together.

It’s quite surprising considering the two organizations had held at least one joint practice before their preseason matchup in recent years. It had become a tradition in East Rutherford. Harbaugh and company are determined to wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start, and moving on from this ritual may be another sign of that.

Giants will be in and out of town

According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the Giants will be away from East Rutherford to begin training camp. The G-Men will spend the first 12 days of training camp in West Virginia. Moreover, they will travel to South Florida for their joint practice with the Dolphins.

Per Duggan, camp in the Mountain State will begin on July 28. The fact that the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium on July 19 may be a factor in why the Giants will not spend much time at their own facilities in the outskirts of the Big Apple.

NY Giants’ preseason schedule

On August 15, the Giants will host the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in the opening week of the 2026 NFL preseason. The following week, they will travel to face the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The G-Men will close out their prep for the regular season with the matchup against the Jets on Aug. 28.

Although the game will be played in East Rutherford, the Giants will be designated as the away team. Following their three preseason games, the G-Men will head into the final week of preseason before their regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.

The opener vs. the Jets was reported by Jordan Schultz. Robert Saleh was the Jets HC from 2021 to 2024. This is Saleh’s first chance at a head coaching position ever since, so it will be a bad blood opener game for the Titans.

Not only that, but the Titans have some former Jets players. Tony Adams, Jermaine Johnson, John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas, and Jacob Martin are all defensive players that are now on the Titans that played for Saleh’s Jets.

Week 3 presents a revenge game for OC Brian Daboll

The Week 3 game for the Titans is a revenge game also at New Jersey. This time against the Giants, the last place where now-Titans OC Brian Daboll coached. He was fired in the middle of last season by the G-Men, so Daboll would love to put an offensive clinic on his former team.

Just with Saleh bringing fromer Jets players, Daboll has gone and poached some of his former Giants weapons. Wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, tight end Daniel Bellinger, and center/guard Austin Schlottman now play for Daboll on the Titans. All will be keen on showing the Giants what they are now missing.

Wins against NY Jets and NY Giants could be great for Titans

When considering expectations, the Titans might be in the middle between the Jets’ low expectations, and the Giants’ promising ways. Hence, beating the Jets could be actually an obligation for the Titans, although the game will be on the always-tricky Week 1.

If the Titans manage to beat the Giants, that’s a statement. A team that will be able to beat mid-to-high tier teams and that could be racing for a playoff spot. The first month will be key for the Titans.

Keller was one of 31 rookie free agents who participated in the Jets rookie minicamp. He was a playmaker at Virginia Tech as he totaled 181 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

As per the waived Mathis, he was a sixth-round pick of the Rams in 2023, but he ended up on the Jets practice squad. While he played 14 games for the Rams, Patriots, and Eagles, he is now a free agent once again.

NY Jets updated LB depth chart

The Jets have a lot of experienced players on their linebacker roster, but also quite a healthy amount of young players. Jamien Sherwood and DeMario Davis are the projected starters.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Kiko Mauigoa, Kobe King, Mykal Walker, and now Jaden Keller fill the spots. The Jets were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year with a defensive-minded head coach. Hence, all cards are on the table for this unit.

The Jets hope new names could be the turning the franchise’s fortunes

New names like Davis, first-rounder David Bailey, David Onyemata, and Joseph Ossai could very well be the new hope for this front seven. However, that wasn’t the only side of the defense that was bolstered.

The Jets brought in Nahshon Wright at cornerback, strong safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, and VJ Payne, the rookie. Also, second-rounder D’Angelo Ponds could be an instant starter at nickelback.

However, Klubnik couldn’t care less about his draft position. Per Rich Cimini of ESPN, Klubnik said “In my mind, I’m a winner. I don’t mean that in a boastful way. I think that’s the mentality you have to have as a quarterback, and I think that my résumé has kind of showed that as well.”

Now, his 2025 season with Clemson wasn’t precisely filled with winning, the Tigers ended with a 7-6 record. Still, for the Jets, it’s good to see Klubnik have that mentality. In 2025, he dealt with ankle and wrist injuries.

Klubnik has somewhat of a good scenario to start his NFL career

The fact that he fell into the fourth round means the expectations are not that high. The pressure is also lower and, he will get to sit back and learn from veteran Geno Smith. However, this is a two-side advantage for Klubnik.

Geno Smith is a veteran who will surely teach Klubnik the ropes of the NFL. However, Smith comes off a very bad year with the Raiders, which means the Jets could perfectly see him as a bridge QB, and if Klubnik impresses, he could fight for the starting job in no time.

Klubnik’s pros and cons

When fully healthy, Klubnik has huge athleticism and mobility, he can use his legs to escape pressure. He also has a quick release of the football, a rapid motion to sling the ball. His arm is pretty good and has good awareness.

However, his decision-making could improve, as sometimes he does mind-boggling plays. He can be forced into bad throws if he faces pressure. Also, he is a bit undersized for a pocket passer, as he is just 6’2″ and of course, he brings some injury concerns.

Shortly after the news became public, Hall shared a heartfelt message reflecting on everything he has overcome since suffering a devastating ACL injury earlier in his career. “Cried for the first time since I tore my ACL. This day really hit different for me man.”

The message resonated strongly with Jets fans because Hall’s future with the organization once appeared far from certain. Throughout last season, the running back was repeatedly mentioned in trade rumors as New York evaluated major roster changes during a difficult stretch.

Jets made Breece Hall a priority despite major roster changes

At one point before the trade deadline, Breece Hall reportedly came very close to being moved to the Kansas City Chiefs, fueling speculation that the Jets could begin a deeper rebuild centered around younger assets and draft capital.

Instead, they ultimately chose a different direction. While the Jets moved on from major names like Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner Johnson, Hall remained untouchable internally and gradually became one of the central pieces of the franchise’s long-term vision.

Now, the contract extension sends the clearest message yet about his role moving forward. Under Aaron Glenn, Hall is expected to become one of the offensive foundations of the rebuilding process as the Jets attempt to construct a younger, faster and more explosive identity heading into 2026.

For Hall personally, the moment also represents validation after years of adversity, recovery and uncertainty. What once looked like a career threatened by injury has now transformed into a long-term commitment from a franchise betting heavily on his future.