The New York Jets are gearing up for the 2026 NFL season with a fresh sense of purpose under second-year general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. After a rebuilding year, Gang Green is looking to turn the corner with veteran quarterback Geno Smith back at the helm, steering a young and hungry roster that features three first-round draft picks—most notably No. 2 overall selection David Bailey, a game-changing edge rusher who could redefine their defense.
The schedule, released Thursday, brings a mix of familiar foes and tough road tests, but it comes with a notable twist: the Jets won't play in any of the nine international games, nor will they feature on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or in a single primetime slot. That means the team will have to earn the spotlight by grinding out wins under the Sunday sun.
At a glance, here are Gang Green's full opponents:
Home games: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns
Away games: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals
Preseason action kicks off early:
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Friday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. (CBS)
Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers — Friday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. (CBS)
Week 3: vs. New York Giants — Friday, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m. (CBS)
Regular season highlights:
The Jets open the year on the road at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. (CBS), a winnable matchup that sets the tone. They then welcome the Green Bay Packers to MetLife Stadium in Week 2 (FOX) before a brutal three-game road stretch through Detroit, Chicago, and New England.
Notably, Gang Green has to wait until Week 6 for their first division game—a trip to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. (CBS). That's followed by a home tilt against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, giving fans a taste of AFC East rivalry action in late October.
Other key matchups include a Week 9 visit to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (CBS), a Week 10 home showdown with the Buffalo Bills (CBS), and a Week 11 trip to the Los Angeles Chargers (FOX). The season concludes with a Week 15 road game at the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4:05 p.m. (FOX).
For Jets fans, this schedule offers a chance to see a young team grow—and maybe surprise a few people along the way. Whether you're stocking up on new gear for game day or just looking for a reason to believe, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one where every Sunday counts.