The full 2026 NFL schedule was released Thursday. Here is how the Jets schedule shapes up:
Three toughest games
Week 4: at Bears
This is likely the Jets’ last trip to Soldier Field as the Bears look to move into a new stadium. The Jets are 2-4 all-time there. The bigger issue than the stadium is the team the Jets have to face. Caleb Williams and Co. will be a test for the Jets defense. Bears coach Ben Johnson and Jets coach Aaron Glenn were coordinators together with the Lions, adding a little spice to this matchup.
Week 6: at Patriots
The Patriots returned to the top of the division last season and the Jets returned to looking up at them in the standings. Geno Smith pulled off a memorable upset against the Patriots as a rookie. Can he do it again in his second stint with the Jets?
Week 18: at Bills
The Jets end the season in chilly Buffalo for the second straight year. The Jets have not won in Buffalo since 2019. Now, they get to face Josh Allen in his new digs as the Bills open their new stadium this year. On their last three trips there, the Jets have not just lost, they have been annihilated by 26, 26 and 27 points, respectively.
Three easiest games
Week 5: vs. Browns
The Browns were one of the three teams the Jets beat last season and, on paper, the Jets are better this year. The question with the Browns is who their quarterback will be: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, someone else? This should also be about the time the Jets hit their stride as they adjust to new coordinators.
Week 7: vs. Dolphins
Miami is in the early stages of a rebuild and has holes over its roster. This sets up well for a Jets victory at MetLife Stadium. This will be a revenge game for new Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was traded by the Dolphins to the Jets in March.
Week 8: vs. Raiders
minicamp May 2. Getty Images
Here comes a “what if” game. What if the Jets lost to the Falcons last year? They might have ended up with the No. 1 pick and quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Instead, the Raiders landed him. He may be on the bench for this game, but if he plays, Glenn’s defense needs to feast on the rookie.
Three notable games
Week 1: at Titans
The Robert Saleh Revenge Game. The Jets will face their former coach in his first game as Tennessee’s coach. There will be plenty of talk about this coaching matchup between now and then but this sets up to be a favorable opener for the Jets. The Titans have a new coaching staff and could take a few weeks to jell.
Week 3: at Lions
Glenn returns to Detroit, where he was the defensive coordinator for four years under Dan Campbell before taking the Jets job. This will be a major test for Glenn’s rebuilt defense against the high-powered Lions offense led by Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Week 12: at Dolphins
The Jets have not won in South Florida since 2014 when they were quarterbacked by … Geno Smith. That was the final game of the Rex Ryan era, so it’s been a while. The Jets are 6-30 in the AFC East over the past six seasons. If they are truly going to turn things around, it starts with winning in the division.
When’s the bye
The Jets don’t get their bye until Week 13. That comes very late in the season. The Jets are going to have to hope they have good health early in the season because there is no rest coming until late. If you’re looking for the positive, this gives them a rest before the stretch run if they are in contention.
Overall takeaway
It is shocking that the Jets received no primetime games for the first time since 2007, per ESPN. I get that the NFL does not have high expectations for the Jets, but a full slate of Sunday games is stunning. The stretch in Weeks 2-4 against the NFC North foes stands out as a very difficult segment of the schedule. If they are 2-2 after the first four games, that’s going to be a reason to celebrate. Ending the season in Buffalo again is another tough one to swallow for the Jets. They need to win some games in October and early November when they have the Browns, Dolphins and Raiders on the schedule.