Analyst offers embarrassingly low bar to signal Jets turnaround

It was tough sledding for the New York Jets in Aaron Glenn's first season, and in truth, we all knew it would be.

After years at the bottom of the NFL, the Jets are trying to climb out for the first time in what feels like forever. The task at the feet of Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey isn't easy, and it will take time.

Unfortunately, the NFL is a results business, and if you aren't getting them, things go south in a hurry.

But surely New York improves in 2026, right? And if they do, what would constitute a successful year?

Well, for NFL.com's Judy Battista, the bar for that is incredibly low.

"A successful turnaround this year might simply be competence, and they took steps that should help them get there, bringing in veteran players like Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick and quarterback Geno Smith to upgrade the skill level while also upgrading the badly-needed leadership," Battista wrote.

"The Jets still have a long way to go -- the franchise quarterback is still not on the roster, for one thing, and likely won’t be this offseason -- and Aaron Glenn might be coaching for his job, but it’s hard to imagine the Jets not looking a lot more functional this season than last."

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Jets to be competent in 2026?

Goodness me, fans will surely hope so.

With Geno Smith under center, New York at least has a veteran presence, along with Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick, so the Jets have at least got some decent pieces in.

But we know that much like 2025, this season will be tough sledding yet again, but progress has to be made.

New York can't have another three-win season. It has to improve on that number.

If it doesn't, we might see yet another head coaching change as the need for a quick turnaround could see another coach fall by the wayside.

It is a big year for Glenn in his second season, and it appears the task is rather clear -- get his roster to be competent.

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