In the first 3 weeks of the 2026 season, the New York Jets have started 1-2, but there are certainly positive signs that have been displayed. 

They dominated the Titans, controlled most of the game against the Packers, and managed to keep up offensively with the Lions. 

Looking ahead, the Jets have a softer part of their schedule, with some very winnable games approaching. 

They play the Case Keenum-led Bears on Sunday, followed by the Browns (2-1), the struggling Patriots (1-2), and the horrific Dolphins (0-3), who just lost Devon Achane for the remainder of the season. 

Is it crazy to say that the Jets can be 4-3 or 5-2 by the end of October? Absolutely not. 

It’s a small sample size, but this looks like a much better Jets team than most fans expected, and it looks like the players are beginning to buy into Aaron Glenn’s culture. 

In terms of next year’s draft, the Colts (1-2) have struggled due to injuries, a slow start from Daniel Jones (203 YPG, 3 TD, 3 INT), and a rough defensive start (30.3 OPPG). 

Their next 4 games include the Commanders (1-2), Steelers (2-1), Titans (0-3), and Vikings (3-0). 

More notably, the Jets get either the Cowboys (1-2) or Packers (1-2) first-round pick, which would be astronomical for their chances of getting a top-5 pick. 

Dallas and Green Bay meet in Week 6 on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field. 

Dallas’ other October games include the Texans (0-3), Bucs (0-3), and Eagles (2-1), while Green Bay has to play the Bucs (0-3), Bears (2-1), Lions (2-1), and Panthers (1-2). 

It is very early, but the Packers’ schedule looks a lot murkier and harder than the Cowboys’, which should give Jets fans lots of hope heading into November. 

Some early targets that fans should be watching in college football include:

QB:

1. TEX Arch Manning (63% COMP, 862 YDS, 7 TD, 3 INT) 
2. MIA Darian Mensah (89% COMP, 1,211 YDS, 14 TD, 0 INT) 
3. MISS Trinidad Chambliss (71% COMP, 1,222 YDS, 7 TD, 3 INT) 
4. ORE Dante Moore (70% COMP, 926 YDS, 9 TD, 0 INT) 

CB: 

1. ND Leonard Moore (7 TOT, 2 PD) 
2. CLEM Ashton Hampton (10 TOT, 1 INT, 7 PD) 
3. ALA Zabien Brown (9 TOT, 4 PD) 
4. UGA Ellis Robinson IV (8 TOT, 3 PD) 

DT: 

1. OU David Stone (14 TOT, 0.5 sacks) 
2. MISS Will Echoles (12 TOT, 0.5 sacks, PD) 
3. ORE A’Mauri Washington (11 TOT, 1 PD) 

The future is very bright for the New York Jets, as it is necessary for Darren Mougey to record a second consecutive A+ draft on his first-round selections. 

David Bailey has looked exactly as advertised, as he has recorded 12 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 quarterback hits in his first 3 NFL games. 

Meanwhile, Kenyon Sadiq is still being somewhat eased in after a hernia setback, but has been very explosive when on the field. 

He’s posted 12 catches for 143 yards with a ridiculous touchdown catch and a creative touchdown run. 

In addition, Sadiq just recorded his first career 100-yard game last Sunday, while posting a 62.8 run-blocking grade. 

Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. was a steal of a selection at No. 30, but he’s only played in 1 game due to his ankle injury in his debut. 

Jets fans saw a flash of what type of receiver he can be, as he made a 30-yard catch and eluded multiple Titans defenders before being tackled at the 5-yard line. 

The foundation is also there with Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Demario Davis, and others contributing to the start of the season. 

This is a Jets team that is sitting at 1-2, but can easily be 3-0 with a more experienced coaching staff and group of players. 

Fans have to be patient and remember that this is a very young Jets squad, as the average age of the players is 25.9. 

There are lots of youth on this team, and some of these rookies will only get better as the season progresses.