With rosters set, it’s a good time to keep track of where any former Jets have ended up and what their role will be in 2026.
We will cover this over three parts, looking at offensive and defensive players this week and special teamers next week.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Commanders:
Washington cuts ties with tight end Lawrence Cager, but did sign tackle Esa Pole to their practice squad after he was cut by the Chiefs.
Cowboys:
The only ex-Jet retained by Dallas on offense was running back Israel Abanikanda, who is on the practice squad. They cut ties with a handful more: Offensive lineman Chris Glaser, wide receivers Tyler Johnson and Denzel Mims and tight end Zack Kuntz.
Eagles:
Tight end EJ Jenkins and wide receiver Elijah Moore both made the final roster, as Moore in particular seems to have responded well to another fresh start.
Giants:
The Giants had 10 ex-Jets on the team, mostly on defense. They cut wide receivers Xavier Gipson and Braxton Berrios despite Gipson’s touchdown in the final preseason game against the Jets. Berrios was re-signed to the practice squad even though he lost a fumble in that game.
Packers:
As expected, quarterback Tyrod Taylor won the backup role, as the Packers retained just two quarterbacks on their 53.
Vikings:
Minnesota didn’t have any ex-Jets on offense during the offseason.
Bears:
Chicago retained wide receiver Kalif Raymond on their active roster, although he didn’t play for them at all in preseason.
Lions:
The only ex-Jet to end up on Detroit’s roster was tight end Tyler Conklin, who was actually cut initially but then re-signed the next day.
They had several others, none of whom were retained on the practice squad: Wide receivers Greg Dortch and Tarik Black, tight ends Nick Muse and Anthony Firkser and offensive lineman Gus Hartwig.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater opted to retire again.
Bucs:
Guard Dan Feeney was retained on the main roster, although he’s listed as the backup at center.
Saints:
Quarterback Zach Wilson made New Orleans’ roster but he’s listed as the number three behind Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Wilson was 20 of 28 for 238 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions, in preseason.
The Saints also added tight end Stone Smartt to their practice squad.
Panthers:
Carolina retained former Jets receiver John Metchie III on their roster after he caught seven passes for 82 yards in preseason.
Falcons:
Offensive lineman Corey Levin made the Falcons roster in a backup role.
They also picked Muse up for their practice squad after his release from the Lions.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian was released before preseason got underway with a non-football injury.
Rams:
Wide receiver Davante Adams should have a big role for the Rams again, and he was just named as a team captain.
The Rams cut offensive lineman Blake Hance but re-signed him to their practice squad.
Seahawks:
Super Bowl MVP quarterback Sam Darnold will obviously be back for Seattle this year.
They also currently still have wide receiver Irv Charles on injured reserve but he’s expected to be activated at some point.
Cardinals:
Running back Bam Knight managed to make the roster, although tight end Kenny Yeboah was cut. Knight, who rushed 15 times for 75 yards in preseason, will be the third running back until James Conner comes off injured reserve.
49ers:
The 49ers didn’t keep either of their offensive players that used to be Jets, as both quarterback Adrian Martinez and running back Khalil Herbert were cut and not signed to the practice squad.
Bills:
Running back Ty Johnson is back once again as Buffalo’s third down back.
The Bills also had three ex-Jets wideouts on their team: Mecole Hardman, Mac Dalena and Quentin Skinner. However, after cutting all three, they opted to sign a fourth ex-Jet, Dortch, to the practice squad ahead of any of them following his release from the Lions.
Dolphins:
In a surprise move, Miami claimed Jets quarterback Brady Cook off waivers, so he’s currently on their 53-man roster.
Running back Donovan Edwards was not retained and offensive lineman Carter Warren is on injured reserve.
Patriots:
The Patriots had four ex-Jets and all four made the final roster. Three were on offense, all on the line. Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses and Greg Van Roten all started together in the first half of the 2021 season on the Jets, but Van Roten will be coming off the bench behind Mike Onwenu.
Bengals:
Faced with a choice of two ex-Jets, Cincinnati opted to go with Joe Flacco as their backup quarterback and signed Josh Johnson to the practice squad.
Browns:
Wide receiver Malachi Corley only caught two passes in preseason but Cleveland saw enough to keep him on the roster. Tight end Brenden Bates was cut.
Ravens:
John Simpson will start for the Ravens at left guard as expected. They also signed running back Jonathan Ward to the practice squad.
Steelers:
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is back at the helm in Pittsburgh, but they cut two ex-Jets receivers in Isaiah Winstead and Brandon Smith. Smith was re-signed to the practice squad.
Texans:
Brett Rypien was the only ex-Jets offensive player on the Texans this offseason and he wasn’t retained.
Colts:
Wide receiver DJ Montgomery was a late addition for the Colts but he ended up on injured reserve with an abdomen issue.
Titans:
Robert Saleh had an incredible 14 ex-Jets on his roster over the offseason and retained nine, albeit that four of those are on the practice squad and one on injured reserve.
Only four of these 14 players were on offense, and all four of those were cut, although running back Michael Carter and quarterback Hendon Hooker made the practice squad. Offensive lineman Austin Deculus and wideout Lance McCutcheon were not retained.
Jaguars:
The Jaguars had two ex-Jets on their offensive line but neither made the final roster as Trystan Colon retired and Chuma Edoga was a surprise cut. Edoga basically didn’t play during preseason, leading Jags writers to assume he was safe.
Broncos:
Wide receiver Tarik Black was the only ex-Jet on Denver’s roster this offseason but he didn’t last long and ended up on the Lions.
Chargers:
The Chargers didn’t have any ex-Jets on offense this offseason.
Raiders:
Tight end Zack Kuntz was briefly with the Raiders but he ended up in Dallas.
Chiefs:
Quarterback Justin Fields will back up a now-healthy Patrick Mahomes after completing 13 of 16 passes in preseason.
Offensive tackle Esa Pole and wide receiver Jason Brownlee were both waived. Pole was picked up by Washington and Brownlee wasn’t kept on the practice squad.
We’ll be back with a look at defensive players in a day or two.
