Newsday's 2026 NFL season preview: Jets, Giants, the Super Bowl and more

It’s a players’ game. Giants and Jets fans will be wearing their new Arvell Reese and David Bailey jerseys this fall, their recent Jaxson Dart and Garrett Wilson ones, and of course their throwback Odell Beckham Jr. and Geno Smith ones too (if they held on to them long enough).

Whether or not either of the two teams in town can climb out of a long funk will be determined on the field by those athletes, but the story on the eve of this 2026 season feels as if it hinges on the two men wearing the headsets on the sidelines.

One, Aaron Glenn, needs to prove he is up to the challenges of leading his Jets. The other, John Harbaugh, needs to find out if his Giants are up to the challenge of him. Newsday's Tom Rock kicks off our NFL preview with the annual state of our New York football teams.

John Harbaugh has been delivered to the Giants and their fan base, and now it’s his turn to deliver on expectations. Win games. Build a tougher team. Give the Giants hope that they’ve finally reversed 10 years of despair and poor play. But what is a realistic goal in Year 1 with their new coach? 

I really feel like this is a team that is very determined to be a great football team. Now let's see if we can go make something of it.

Why the Giants might contend

John Harbaugh’s discipline and attention to detail lead to improvements across the board. Malik Nabers regains his 2024 form and finishes the second half as one of the NFL’s best receivers. Jaxson Dart takes a leap forward in Year 2. Abdul Carter joins Brian Burns as a Pro Bowl linebacking tandem. But more importantly, the Giants make improvements in stopping the run. It’s enough for their first winning season since 2022 and Harbaugh is a Coach of the Year finalist.

Why they might not contend

Dart struggles to learn a new offense. Nabers takes time to regain his form. The physical running game takes a toll, with Cam Skattebo missing a few games. The run defense keeps struggling and the secondary, led by cornerback Paulson Adebo, gets worse and not even an improved season by safety Jevon Holland can save it. The Giants’ late-game struggles last year continue, adding to Harbaugh’s history of blown fourth-quarter leads. They shrink the NFC East talent gap, but it’s not good enough to avoid finishing last for a third straight season.

Player spotlight 

Tight end Isaiah Likely was a great security blanket for Lamar Jackson with Baltimore, and now he’s going to be that for Jaxson Dart. Dart and Likely developed a great chemistry in training camp. Likely has versatility both as a blocking tight end and a tall pass-catcher at 6-4. He might be the most important upgrade on offense because Dart needs more reliable, experienced targets besides Nabers.

Rookie watch

Arvell Reese came to the Giants known for his pass rushing, but the Giants say the rookie will start at inside linebacker and be used all over the field. Expect Reese, a sound tackler, to line up at edge rusher, drop in coverage and play the run, because he’s capable of having an impact on the game in multiple ways. He’ll contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year and benefit playing next to Tremaine Edmunds.

Beat writer's prediction: 6-11

This is a building-block season, not a launch to contender status. Harbaugh needs time to implement his culture, Dart must prove he’s a franchise quarterback and the Giants must show they’re more talented than middle-of-the-pack teams. There will be improvement and the Giants will play meaningful games in November. That will be enough to please fans but not enough to avoid another losing season. It just sets the stage for a better 2027 campaign.

This is Evan Barnes' third season covering the Giants for Newsday.

More Giants stories

Life of a rookie: Giants rookie cornerback Colton Hood was ready for first camp thanks to advice from his uncle, who played under John Harbaugh.

Super sophomore season: Can Jaxson Dart follow the script of previous dual-threat second-year QBs? Let's look at the numbers.

My 9/11 story: Newsday's Neil Best covered the Giants' game at Denver on Monday, Sept. 10, 2001. Then the world changed the next morning. Here's how he got home.

Long-suffering fans may be looking forward to 2027, when the Jets will have three first-round picks in a quarterback-deep draft. The more they lose this season, the better the Jets’ chances are of drafting one of the top QBs. However, Aaron Glenn and the Jets are on a mission to win games and earn some respect in Year 2.

We're doing everything we can to make sure we change the perception of how people see this organization, how people see the players, how people see the coaches, how people see this team.

Why the Jets might contend

Geno Smith is back and motivated to lead the team that drafted him in 2013 to the playoffs. Smith has weapons on offense to make some noise if he takes care of the football. The Jets filled holes up front that should improve their run defense and pass rush. They also added leaders (Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick). The defense, which now will be run by Aaron Glenn, shouldn’t fold as easily in tough times.

Why they might not contend

You don’t know which Smith will show up week to week. He’s thrown the most interceptions in the NFL during the past two years. If that trend continues, it could be a long season for a team that has little margin for error. The Jets’ defense — which had zero interceptions last year — has some question marks, especially in the secondary. Teams will look to pick apart the Jets’ collection of cornerbacks, just as they did last year.

Player spotlight

This is a big season for Adonai Mitchell, who was acquired from Indianapolis in the Sauce Gardner trade last October. The Jets didn’t dive into the free-agent receiver market because they believe the 23-year-old Mitchell will develop into a No. 2 behind Garrett Wilson. Mitchell will have the opportunity to prove himself. Concentration lapses have hurt Mitchell in the past, but he has all the tools to be the player the Jets believe he can become.

Rookie watch

Edge rusher David Bailey, the second overall pick from Texas Tech, stood out above all of his teammates in training camp practices, including two joint sessions with Tampa Bay. Bailey constantly pressured the quarterback, using a quick get-off, dizzying spin move or power to beat tackles and get home. With his pass-rushing skills and relentless pursuit, Bailey looks as if he can be a disruptive player up front right away for a defense that needs one.

Beat writer's prediction: 6-11

The Jets improved at quarterback, tight end, receiver, defensive line and safety. Acquiring Davis and Fitzpatrick also filled their leadership void. They will make big impacts on the defense. The Jets will be more competitive but they’re still at least another year away from making a postseason run. Doubling their win total from last season would be a positive step, but it might not be enough for Glenn to save his job.

This is Al Iannazzone's ninth season covering the Jets for Newsday.

More Jets stories

Life of a rookie: Learning the playbook and getting used to the grueling schedule is hard enough, but rookies also have to tell jokes and sing songs as part of their responsibilities. Just don't ask Jets rookie Omar Cooper Jr. to do the latter one again.

The many lives of Anthony Becht: The former tight end for the Jets isn't just the team's radio analyst. He's also the head coach of Orlando Storm of the UFL and the father of Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht.

When the Jets called Hofstra home: Roots on campus and the area still run deep 18 years after leaving Long Island.

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The Super Bowl

Super Bowl LXI will take place at Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It’s the first Super Bowl to be televised by ESPN, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call for the ESPN/ABC simulcast.

Most folks covering the NFL have the Rams already ticketed for the home game that night. But predicting the new season’s Super Bowl is easy. Newsday’s Tom Rock goes the extra yard and predicts the next 10 Super Bowls. (Spoiler: He has the Rams in this season’s Super Bowl.)

Around the NFL

As you might guess, you'll have to scroll a few times to find the Giants and Jets on Tom Rock's NFL power rankings to open the season. But at least you'll know who to pick in your Week 1 office pools.

Hot Takes

Tom Rock: Texans make the Super Bowl

DeMeco Ryans has been one of the most underappreciated head coaches in the league for years, but that ends this season. The Texans will ride a suffocating defense starring Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingly Jr., improved run game with the addition of David Montgomery, and steadier quarterback play from C.J. Stroud all the way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.

Al Iannazzone: Rams' walk-off Super Bowl win

The Rams will be Super Bowl champs with the help of (temporarily) un-retired Aaron Donald. Then, Donald, Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay will walk away and leave on top. Donald and Stafford will enter the Hall of Fame together. McVay will become the top coaching candidate in 2028.

Evan Barnes: Defending champ Seahawks miss the playoffs

The Seahawks will be the first team since the 2022 Rams to miss the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl the year before. Seattle will suffer from losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker in free agency, but this is more about the Rams reloading this offseason. Somebody has to backslide and it will be the defending champs/

Joe Manniello: Patriots miss the playoffs

The Super Bowl hangover hits New England, which benefited from one of the softest schedules in NFL history last season . . . and then got to play a backup QB in the AFC title game. Drake Maye and the O-line were exposed in the Super Bowl. Nine wins against a first-place schedule won’t be enough.

5 NFL storylines

1. SUPER RAMS?

After an offseason in which they traded for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and All-Pro Trent McDuffie, signed Jaylen Watson, extended reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and have Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams coming back — not to mention Sean McVay coaching them — the Rams clearly have put together a superteam. Now we get to see if they can turn it into a Super Bowl team. That doesn’t always work out for squads that enter the year as the prohibitive favorite. According to ESPN, of the 15 biggest preseason favorites based on betting odds since 1990, only two of them, the 1994 49ers and the 2018 Patriots, won it all. Four others reached the Super Bowl and lost; two didn’t even make the playoffs. Will the Rams be one of the rare teams that live up to the hype? Or will we be watching two other less likely organizations when Super Bowl LXI is played in Los Angeles on Feb. 14?

2. COMEBACK STORIES

The candidate list for Comeback Player of the Year will be very crowded. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones, Jayden Daniels and Kyler Murray are starting the season after rehabbing serious injuries that had them sidelined for a significant portion of their 2025 campaigns. There are plenty of other stars who are in similar tracks at other positions too, including Micah Parsons, Fred Warner and George Kittle. The Giants have three key offensive players this season coming off surgeries: Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo and the newly acquired Najee Harris. Injuries are always a big part of any NFL season, but it feels as if this one will be especially saturated by those returning from the ailments that defined last year.

3. JOSH & LAMAR

Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have won three MVPs between them but have appeared in zero Super Bowls and only two conference title games. Now the two top-tier quarterbacks get a new head coach for the first time in their careers, and rookie ones at that. Allen will be paired with his old offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, and Jackson gets to work with Jesse Minter. How each of those teams navigates the dynamics of a new relationship among the most important partners in any organization should go a long way toward determining who reps the AFC in the Super Bowl.

4. RODGERS THAT

Aaron Rodgers has been flirting with retirement for so long that there are guys in the league on second contracts who were still in college when he emerged from his darkness retreat and said he was “90%” certain he’d call it quits. Then he wound up being a Jet for two seasons and now is entering his second season with Pittsburgh after considering calling it quits before each of those campaigns. When he returned to the Steelers late this spring, he said it would be for his last year as a player. Do we believe him? No. If he has success this season, in which he will turn 43 in December, he’ll want to return. If he doesn’t still have game left in his arm and legs, he’ll frame it as a retirement, but in reality, the sport will be telling him it’s time to go rather than the other way around.

5. GOING INTERNATIONAL

Roger Goodell said this summer he has “no doubt” there soon will be an NFL team based outside of the United States. In the meantime, we get a 2026 schedule that stretches to nearly every corner of the globe with games in Australia, Rio de Janeiro, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris and Mexico City. All of that is great for marketing the sport, but the toll it takes on the teams will be something that is closely examined, especially given the differing approaches the Rams and 49ers have toward their season opener in Melbourne. The Rams plan to arrive one day before kickoff and leave when the game is done, just as they do for any road game. The 49ers will show up a full week before the game to get acclimated to the time difference. Whoever wins the game could dictate how the rest of the league travels overseas for the foreseeable future . . . or at least until there is a team based there.

And the awards go to ...

• MVP: Josh Allen, Bills
• Coach of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, Texans
• Offensive Player: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
• Defensive Player: Will Anderson Jr., Texans
• Protector: Andrew Thomas, Giants
• Comeback Player: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City
• Most Improved Player: Kyler Murray, Vikings
• Offensive Rookie: Fernando Mendoza, Raiders
• Defensive Rookie: Caleb Downs, Cowboys

Tom Rock's Best of the NFL

AFC

5 best players: Josh Allen, Bills; Patrick Surtain II, Broncos; Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals; Jonathan Taylor, Colts; Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Best coach: Sean Payton, Broncos

Best GM: Nick Caserio, Texans

Best arm: Josh Allen, Bills

Best QB in the clutch: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City

Most exciting player to watch: Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Best QB-WR combination: Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Best running back: Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Best tight end: Brock Bowers, Raiders

Best defensive player: Patrick Surtain II, Broncos

Rookie to watch: Carnell Tate, Titans

Best offseason move: Ravens acquiring Trey Hendrickson

Best comeback story: Daniel Jones, Colts

Best mascot: Jaxson de Ville, Jacksonville Jaguars

Best uniform: Las Vegas Raiders

Best throwback uniform: Las Angeles Chargers

Best stadium to watch a game: Reliant Stadium, Texans

Best stadium to cover a game: Nissan Stadium, Titans

Best quote (player): Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

Best quote (coach): Jim Harbaugh, Chargers

NFC

5 best players: Myles Garrett, Rams; Matthew Stafford, Rams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks; Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions; Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Best coach: Sean McVay, Rams

Best GM: John Schneider, Seahawks

Best arm: Caleb Williams, Bears

Best QB in the clutch: Matthew Stafford, Rams

Most exciting player to watch: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Best QB-WR combination: Matthew Stafford-Puka Nacua, Rams

Best running back: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Best tight end: Trey McBride, Cardinals

Best defensive player: Myles Garrett, Rams

Rookie to watch: Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals

Best offseason move: Rams acquiring Myles Garrett

Best comeback story: Micah Parsons, Packers

Best mascot: Freddie Falcon, Falcons

Best uniform: San Francisco 49ers

Best throwback uniform: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best stadium to watch a game: AT&T Stadium, Cowboys

Best stadium to cover a game: U.S. Bank Stadium, Vikings

Best quote (player): George Kittle, 49ers

Best quote (coach): Dan Campbell, Lions