The New York Jets have heard plenty of skepticism this offseason. Apparently, there was room for a little more.
CBS Sports recently released its annual rankings of every NFL team's offensive "triplets" (quarterback, running back, and primary pass catcher). It didn't take long for the disrespect to flow.
The Jets landed 29th overall. Only the Tennessee Titans, the Miami Dolphins, and the Cleveland Browns were ranked lower, placing New York firmly in the bottom tier despite an offseason that brought meaningful changes to the offense.
The ranking featured discussion about Geno Smith at quarterback, Breece Hall at running back, and Garrett Wilson as the Jets' featured receiver. According to CBS Sports, much of the skepticism stems from Smith's disappointing
2025 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders.
"The Jets fell six spots here despite replacing Justin Fields with Geno Smith. It feels like they're being punished for Smith's awful season in Las Vegas, which unfolded under horrendous circumstances in arguably the NFL's worst offensive environment. (Tennessee is the only team that has an argument for being worse.) Smith is also getting up there in age, though, so it's possible that he's just on the downslide of his career and will never get back what he had for a few years in Seattle. The Jets and the next three teams on the list were separated by a total of 0.2 points in the rankings."
Can the veteran recapture the form he displayed during his Pro Bowl seasons as part of the Seattle Seahawks? It's easy to understand why this remains a conversation.
Quarterback is the most influential position in football, and no amount of talent at running back or wide receiver can completely overcome inconsistent play under center.
The Raiders fielded one of the league's least productive offensive environments, battling issues along the offensive line while rarely surrounding Smith with the type of supporting cast necessary to succeed. The Jets believe they're offering something entirely different.
Smith steps into an offense featuring one of the NFL's better young receivers in Wilson, a versatile running back in Hall and an offensive coaching staff intent on restoring efficiency to a unit that struggled to find consistency a season ago.
Whether that environment helps Smith rediscover his earlier form will likely determine whether the Jets outperform expectations in 2026.
If there's one player who seems difficult to question, it's Wilson. Despite playing with constant turnover at quarterback throughout his career, the former first-round pick has continued producing at a high level and remains one of the league's most polished young receivers.
His route running, body control and ability to create separation have consistently made him the focal point of opposing defensive game plans. Hall has also demonstrated the ability to impact games as both a runner and receiver when healthy, giving the Jets a balanced offensive weapon capable of creating explosive plays in multiple ways. On paper, that's hardly the profile of one of the league's least talented skill-position groups.
Rankings don't decide seasons
To be fair, CBS Sports didn't dismiss the Jets entirely. The outlet acknowledged that Smith's struggles came under difficult circumstances and noted that the teams grouped near New York were separated by razor-thin margins. That suggests the difference between the Jets and several teams ranked ahead of them isn't nearly as dramatic as the final order might indicate.
Still, perception often lags behind reality in the NFL.
Until the Jets prove they can consistently move the football and win games, national rankings are likely to remain cautious.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Where do the Jets' 'triplets' rank in last NFL ratings?
