After an abysmal 2025-26 NFL season, the New York Jets and general manager Darren Mougey will now look to reshape the entire organization this offseason.

While the 2026 NFL Draft continues to be a hot topic amongst the fanbase due to the large amount of picks in the team’s possession, the upcoming free agency signing period is the main priority for the struggling franchise.

Luckily for Mougey and the rest of the front office, New York has some of the most cap space heading into the period, with roughly $80 million at their disposal.

Since Mougey ultimately decided to part ways with the star cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams during the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, it’s clear that the Jets’ defense needs a complete overhaul this offseason.

Fortunately, there are plenty of names that are set to hit the free market, including former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson.

Watson, a former seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has had an incredible NFL journey throughout his first four seasons with the Chiefs.

Coming out of college, Watson was part of a massive defensive back draft class, which forced him to fall in the 2022 Draft. But despite his late selection, the former Washington State standout managed to quickly make a name for himself as a rookie.

During Kansas City’s historic Super Bowl run in 2022, Watson would become one of the team’s primary outside cornerbacks, playing a total of 750 snaps. Throughout the course of the season, he would rack up a total of 60 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and three interceptions.

Since then, Watson has been one of the most underrated defensive backs in the NFL and is usually overshadowed by the likes of teammate Trent McDuffie and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. However, Watson now has the opportunity to not only secure a second contract, but also sign with a team in free agency and become the focal point in the secondary unit.

According to Spotrac’s market evaluation, Watson is projected to sign for roughly $12.5 million per year, which means the Jets could easily sign him in free agency. Adding Watson to New York’s defensive back room would give head coach Aaron Glenn more flexibility on defense, while also solidifying the Jets’ secondary for the 2026 season.

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