The 2026 NFL season is upon us and the New York Jets will get things going on the road on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
The Jets have put some play on the field during the preseason, but much is still to come. Despite no snaps yet to be played during the regular season, national power rankings polls have still been dropped ahead of Week 1.
How did the Jets fare?
Here is Jets Wire roundup of how the team looks in power rankings ahead of Week 1:
USA TODAY
27. New York Jets (30): They appear to have a nice nucleus of young players awaiting a QB to lead it for the long term − which is sure to give Week 1 opponent Robert Saleh flashbacks as he prepares the Titans to face his former team.
Pro Football Talk
Jets (No. 29; 0-0): Jets fans find plenty of optimism in 0-0. They
should enjoy it while it lasts.
The Athletic
First game: at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Mock’s projected win total: 5.6
The defense should be better after drafting David Bailey and adding veterans Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick — and also because they can’t go another year without an interception, right? RIGHT?! The offense with Geno Smith isn’t inspiring, even after drafting Omar Cooper Jr. to play opposite Garrett Wilson.
Bleacher Report
29. New York Jets
The Jets are a franchise stuck in limbo—and it's partly of their own doing.
On one hand, the team hopes to be building a foundation for the future. New York had three first-round picks in 2026 and is set to have three more in a 2027 draft that is projected to be loaded at quarterback.
However, the Jets have also been reluctant to fully embrace a rebuild. The addition of veteran quarterback Geno Smith is unlikely to get them into the playoffs or deliver their first winning season since 2015.
The Jets have enough talent on both sides of the ball to win 5-6 games with competent quarterback play—and all that will do is make it that much harder to draft an elite quarterback prospect in 2027 without moving up.
CBS Sports
27. Jets
hey will be better than last season, but how much better? I think the veterans they added will help keep them in games. Next year, they get their quarterback.
FOX Sports
28. New York Jets (Previously ranked: 30)
Super Bowl odds: +20000
There are a lot of things to like about the Jets, including a veteran defense, a strong offensive line, and a handful of talented skill players. If only they had a QB to go with them. Geno Smith is the anchor on this promising ship
Pro Football Focus
30. New York Jets
Odds to make playoffs: 10%
Odds to win Super Bowl: <1%
The Jets made meaningful additions to their roster this offseason, mixing in veterans like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Demario Davis while adding three first-round picks in David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. However, pressure is already mounting on second-year head coach Aaron Glenn, with quarterback Geno Smith needing to get better quickly after recording a 60.9 overall PFF grade in Las Vegas — the second-worst among qualified passers. New York could make noise if things get more stable, but the season could also turn wayward fast, especially with draft capital stockpiled for 2027.
ESPN
Chances to make the playoffs: 6.5%Chances to win division: 2.0%Projected wins: 6.0Strength of schedule: Sixth easiest2025 record: 3-14
Biggest strength: There are no glaring strengths, but one thing the Jets should do reasonably well is run the ball. They return four starting linemen and their top three backs from a unit that ranked 10th in rushing yards last season. If Breece Hall delivers another 1,000-yard season, it will reduce the pressure on QB Geno Smith, who leads the league in interceptions (52) and sacks (182) over the past four seasons. Things will get ugly without a competent run game.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL power rankings roundup: Where the Jets land in national polls ahead of Week 1
