Jets Insider: What does the future hold for players with expiring contracts?
Top row, from left: The Jets' Quincy Williams, Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Bottom row, from left: John Simpson,Tyrod Taylor, Kene Nwangwu and Nick Folk. Credit: Jim McIsaac, Noah K. Murray (top right), Brad Penner (bottom right)
The Jets have gotten ahead on some offseason business recently, signing tight end Jeremy Ruckert and center Josh Myers to two-year extensions before they could hit free agency.
“I think it sends a great message that we want to keep ours here,” offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said of the Ruckert extension. “He's a player that was drafted here, and since we got here last winter, he's done everything that we've asked and the development that he's showing has looked good.”
Here are some other players on expiring contracts who could be locked up in the coming weeks or during free agency or might be nearing the end of their Jets careers:
Breece Hall: Aaron Glenn has talked about wanting to keep Hall and how important the dual-threat running back is to the offense. They shouldn’t let Hall go. Hall is one of many Jets who is tired of losing. He sent mixed signals about his desire to remain a Jet after he nearly got moved. If he is back, it might be because the Jets franchise-tagged him.
Quincy Williams: The former All-Pro linebacker has been arguably their best defensive player, but he might be playing his final three games as a Jet. Williams’ name came up in trade talks. He briefly lost his starting job and probably upset Glenn by telling the media. The Jets could target Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is set to be a free agent and is close with Glenn. Williams might want a change of scenery anyway after everything that’s happened and five straight losing seasons.
John Simpson: The durable left guard has not missed a game since signing with the Jets two years ago. They like the idea of keeping the continuity up front. All five offensive linemen have started every game this season. Simpson is the only one not under contract in 2026, and he wants to stay.
Alijah Vera-Tucker: He is the Jets’ best and most versatile offensive lineman, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending triceps tear days before the Week 1 game. The right guard has missed at least 10 games in three of the last four seasons.
The Jets might bring back only one of the two, Vera-Tucker or Simpson. With Vera-Tucker’s injury history, an argument can be made to try to keep both. The Jets will need guard depth regardless.
Tyrod Taylor: The Jets need a veteran quarterback. Taylor is a consummate pro who has been injury-prone. Presuming the Jets draft a quarterback (Fernando Mendoza), they could try to acquire a veteran through a trade (Mac Jones, Jacoby Brissett) or sign one in free agency (Marcus Mariota, Jimmy Garoppolo).
Kene Nwangwu: He is an explosive kick returner on one of the NFL’s best special teams units and shouldn’t hit free agency. The Jets should keep him and Isaiah Williams together returning kicks and giving teams fits.
Nick Folk: If he wants to play another season, the Jets should get it done. Folk, 41, has been just about automatic. He’s made 25 of 26 field-goal attempts and all 22 of his extra-point tries.
HC over DC
Glenn considered calling the defense this season but decided against it. The former Lions defensive coordinator wanted to make sure he was involved in all aspects of the team in his first year as a head coach.
“I think any coach that's been in the coordinator position, if there’s one thing they do miss is calling the defense,” Glenn said. “I really felt like this first year - and who knows in maybe years to come - that I want to really do a good job of managing the team and making sure that I have my hands on the offense, defense and the special teams. I think it's been valuable for me.”
Glenn hired Steve Wilks to run the defense but he was fired on Monday. Chris Harris will make his debut as the defensive coordinator and call the plays Sunday against New Orleans.
When Glenn was asked if would consider calling plays in the future, he responded, “I'm considering making sure that we beat New Orleans.”
Ruckert's new deal
After Ruckert signed his deal worth up to $11 million, Williams asked the Lindenhurst native a question: What would be the first thing he’d buy with his new riches?
“I’m not sure, but I do need to get myself a house,” Ruckert said. “Probably go back home and buy a house.”
Ruckert is a lifelong Jets fan and “feels good” that Glenn sees him as part of this rebuild. Ruckert spoke highly of Glenn, who said he has been hard on the tight end because he thinks he has a lot of potential.
“He's one of the closest head coaches I ever had in my football career as far as the conversations we have, the ability to go to him and talk to him about anything,” Ruckert said. “I wouldn't say he's hard on me. He just believes in me. It's stressing the fact that I could do a lot of great things in this league and they believe in me.”
Why Cook picked the Jets
Brady Cook will make his second straight start on Sunday. He had other teams interested in signing him after the draft, but Cook went with the Jets because he “felt alignment” after meeting with Glenn, Engstrand and the offensive staff.
The Jets were the only team that hosted the former Missouri quarterback for an official 30 visit (each team can invite up to 30 top prospects to their facility for in-depth meetings, interviews and physicals to help evaluate players beyond Combine footage).
“It's been exactly what I expected since I showed up,” Cook said. “Exactly what they said they were going to do, they did. And this is why I chose the Jets' opportunity and because I believed in AG.
“The Jets were the only team I took a visit to, so I had a relationship with their staff. I kind of knew what their vision was and where they saw me in the picture. It was a pretty easy decision.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
