On Wednesday, the NFL officially announced the 2026 preseason schedule, and the New York Jets will once again have three opportunities to evaluate their roster before the regular season begins. Here are the details on the Jets 2026 Preseason Schedule.
Aaron Glenn’s club opens the preseason at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, August 14, at MetLife Stadium. The Jets then travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Friday, August 21, before wrapping up the exhibition schedule with their annual preseason showdown against the New York Giants on Friday, August 28.
All three Jets preseason games are scheduled for prime time, giving fans plenty of opportunities to get an early look at Geno Smith and the team’s revamped roster.
Jets 2026 Preseason Schedule
Week 1
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
- Friday, August 14
- 7:00 p.m. ET
Week 2
- New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Friday, August 21
- 7:00 p.m. ET
Week 3
- New York Giants at New York Jets
- Friday, August 28
- 7:30 p.m. ET
What to Watch
Preseason results rarely matter, but these games will provide valuable opportunities for the coaching staff to evaluate young players and roster battles before final cuts.
Fans will also get their first extended look at Geno Smith back in green and white after his return to the organization that originally drafted him in 2013. With several rookie additions expected to compete for significant roles, the preseason schedule could offer an early glimpse of how the Jets plan to build around their veteran quarterback.
The annual Giants matchup in Week 3 remains one of the more entertaining preseason traditions in the NFL. While starters typically see limited action in the final preseason game, the contest often serves as the last chance for fringe roster candidates to make their case before teams trim down to their regular-season rosters.
The Jets will conclude the preseason on August 28 and then turn their attention to preparing for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.