The New York Jets spent the 2026 NFL offseason adding veterans, reshaping the roster, and welcoming another promising draft class. Those additions will be important, but successful teams aren’t built through free agency alone. Player development remains one of the league’s most valuable resources.
As the 2025 season unfolded, several Jets players quietly took major steps forward. Their continued growth could prove just as important as anything the organization accomplished this spring.
As one season leads us to another, there are fresh faces and an exciting draft class to mull over, but New York has also learned that they can hang their hats on several of the guys from head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach.
Here are five of those players:
Joe Tippmann became a cornerstone
Few players did more for their long-term outlook than Joe Tippmann. The young interior lineman entered last season with expectations. He finished it as one of the foundational pieces of New York’s offense.
Tippmann showed improved consistency as both a run blocker and pass protector while emerging as a leader along the offensive line. The Jets rewarded that development with a four-year, $66.4 million extension. That investment speaks volumes about how highly the organization views his future.
Olu Fashanu looks like a franchise tackle
The Jets hoped they were drafting a cornerstone when they selected Olu Fashanu in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. By the end of 2025, he certainly looked the part.
Alongside Armand Membou, Fashanu helped stabilize edge protection and gave New York one of the NFL’s most promising young tackle pairings. His growth throughout the season offered evidence that the Jets may finally have a long-term solution for protecting their quarterback.
Azareye’h Thomas exceeded expectations
Third-round selections aren’t always expected to contribute immediately. Thomas did exactly that. In 12 games and five starts, he forced quarterbacks into a completion percentage below 50 percent when targeting his coverage.
That’s impressive for any cornerback, especially a rookie still learning the professional game. The Jets may have found one of the steals of the 2025 draft. Look for him to continue improving this season.
Jowon Briggs made the most of his opportunity
Opportunity often arrives unexpectedly in the NFL. When roster changes created additional snaps, Briggs took advantage.
His disruptive play along the defensive front provided a bright spot during a transitional season. The additions of David Onyemata and T’Vondre Sweat will create competition, but Briggs earned the right to remain part of the conversation.
Andre Cisco helped stabilize the secondary
The Jets entered 2025 searching for answers in the secondary. Cisco helped provide some. His improved playmaking ability and growing confidence transformed what had been a major weakness into a more dependable unit by season’s end.
His growth wasn’t always flashy, but it was important. The Jets don’t need these five players to become All-Pros. They simply need continued progress. If they receive it, New York’s roster could be much stronger than many expect entering 2026.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 Jets players who quietly improved during the 2025 NFL season
Reporting by Geoffrey A Knox, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Geoffrey A Knox, Jets Wire | USA TODAY Network
