{"id":291193,"date":"2026-07-08T15:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T19:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=291193"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T19:12:08","slug":"jets-position-battles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/07\/08\/jets-position-battles\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 3 New York Jets Position Battles in Training Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the top three Jets position battles<\/a> heading into training camp? The New York Jets open their 2026 training camp on July 28th. For three weeks, the team will thoroughly examine its roster in person to prepare for the season. Including settling the New York Jets’ position battles to determine not only who stays but also who can keep their roster spot. With head coach Aaron Glenn’s future in question entering the season, the team is hoping to have better luck this season.<\/p>\n

If the offseason is any indicator, the team added a robust array of talent. A new starting quarterback. First-round picks at edge rusher, tight end, and wide receiver. A complete defensive overhaul<\/a> with eight projected starters. New perspectives on both coordinator positions with the arrivals of Frank Reich and Brian Duker. But in preparation for the 2026 season, there are Jets position battles that still need to be settled. Let’s examine the position battles for the New York Jets.<\/p>\n

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Top 3 New York Jets Position Battles in Training Camp<\/h2>\n

Safety<\/h3>\n

Entering the 2026 season, one of the major course corrections the team desires to make is improving their secondary. Last season, the New York Jets became the only team in over 90 years to finish an entire season without an interception. To correct this, major changes were needed. During the offseason, the team made multiple moves to add to the position. The team traded for veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. The team signed former New York Giant Dane Belton. In addition, last year’s starter, Andre Cisco, as well. Now, these four will compete with 2025 fourth-round pick Malachi Moore.<\/p>\n

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Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) tackles New York Jets fullback Andrew Beck (47) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the more compelling New York Jets position battles in training camp. One frontrunner being projected is Minkah Fitzpatrick, starting at strong safety. The Jets acquired Fitzpatrick in a trade<\/a> with the Dolphins. Despite playing nickelback a majority of last season in Miami, the Jets are optimistic that three-time First-Team All-Pro Fitzpatrick can still handle the role. While he’s no longer that level of talent, Fitzpatrick brings a veteran presence to a young locker room, as well as someone familiar with defensive coordinator Brian Duker after spending last season in Miami. If the New Jersey native can help provide support, he’ll make good on the new three-year, $40 million extension<\/a> he signed after being acquired.<\/p>\n

But, who will start opposite of Fitzpatrick? That’s a different story. On the one hand, Andre Cisco is currently listed as the projected starter at free safety. While they can justify Cisco returning as the starter since he was starting last season, Cisco is returning from season-ending pectoral surgery. However, before the injury, Cisco’s struggles when healthy were evident, which is why he’s currently in a position battle. Despite dealing with some rookie struggles, second-year safety Malachi Moore showed promise. But will it be enough to become a starter on the Jets in a position battle?<\/p>\n

Cornerback<\/h3>\n

After having no interceptions last season, training camp will focus heavily on the secondary for the Jets position battles. One player who’s safe from losing time is veteran Brandon Stephens. After his contract was heavily criticized last offseason, Stephens was arguably the most competent starter in the position group. However, the biggest question comes from who will start opposite of Stephens this fall.<\/p>\n

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Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’von Achane (28) rushes the ball against New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thus far, glowing reviews from newly signed free agent cornerback Nahshon Wright<\/a>. Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Wright is looking to build off his stellar 2025 with the Chicago Bears. However, last year was the first season Wright put together a full season as a starter. Before arriving in Chicago, the Minnesota Vikings cut Wright in 2024 after limited playing time. Can Wright prove that his great 2025 was not an outlier but now the new normal?<\/p>\n

But he’ll still face competition in this Jets position battle. One challenger will be top-50 draft pick, D’Angelo Ponds<\/a>. After helping to guide Indiana<\/a> to its first National Championship, Ponds is ready to help contribute to some wins. While many are concerned that his 5’9″ height will limit him to the nickelback role, he and New York are optimistic that his tenacity and high on-field IQ can prompt him to start at cornerback.<\/p>\n

Back Up Quarterback<\/h3>\n
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Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) passes against New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the ongoing investigation into the domestic battery allegations two weeks ago, veteran quarterback Geno Smith is still the projected starter. Which likely won’t change his status as the week one quarterback<\/a>, unless Smith gets suspended. After finishing with the lowest passing yards per game last season, the New York Jets need Smith to help air the ball out this season. Now supplied with two proven playmakers in wide receiver Garrett Wilson<\/a> and premier running back Breece Hall, along with two first-round picks to throw to in Omar Cooper Jr and Kenyon Sadiq, Smith has an opportunity to lead an improved offense.<\/p>\n

However, the biggest question is who will be behind Geno Smith on the depth chart. Thus far, fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik<\/a> is the projected favorite. The four-year Clemson Tigers starter was turning heads at OTAs and rookie minicamp. Also in this Jets position battle include four game starter Brady Cook and journeyman backup Bailey Zappe. Neither of the veterans provides much confidence to lead the team if Smith gets hurt. Especially with how overwhelmed Cook looked under center last year.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: [Travis Register] – Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With days to go before training camp starts, lets analyze the top three New York Jets position battles that will take place this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4597,"featured_media":291210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[8012,33360,33585,33999,10174,10072,3357,33939],"class_list":["post-291193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jets","tag-andre-cisco","tag-azareyeh-thomas","tag-cade-klubnik","tag-dangelo-ponds","tag-dane-belton","tag-malachi-moore","tag-minkah-fitzpatrick","tag-nahshon-wright"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4597"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291193"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":291389,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291193\/revisions\/291389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/291210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}