The New York Jets are banking on experience to reverse their fortunes after a disastrous 3-14 season. In a strategic offseason overhaul, the franchise has added four veteran players whose combined ages total 134 years, bringing a collective 44-plus years of NFL experience to a locker room that desperately needed leadership.
The Jets' offseason haul includes four players on the back side of their careers: linebacker Demario Davis (37), quarterback Geno Smith (35), defensive tackle David Onyemata (33) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29). For a team coming off the NFL's worst record, the decision to invest heavily in veterans might seem counterintuitive, but head coach Aaron Glenn has a clear vision for why this approach makes sense.
Addressing a Critical Leadership Void
This was a concerted effort to improve the current culture by acquiring accomplished veterans with leadership and toughness, as the internal feeling was that the locker room lacked leaders in 2025. The Jets' struggles last season went beyond talent—they were a team without direction, without vocal leaders to steady the ship during turbulent times.
The Jets added several veterans to their locker room, including Fitzpatrick, linebacker Demario Davis and quarterback Geno Smith -- a clear push to improve the overall player leadership. Glenn explained his rationale for surrounding young players with experienced veterans who can teach and mentor.
"That was really my plan from the very beginning, well going into this offseason, to make sure I surround some of these young guys with guys like that," Glenn said. "I think it's important when you're trying to build a team that you have a good mix of that so the young guys can learn, and as they learn, they continue to pick those things up. And as they grow older, they're able to pass those things down to other young guys. And to me, that's exactly how you want your team to be built."
Demario Davis Returns for Third Jets Stint
After eight years with the New Orleans Saints, the 37-year-old linebacker signed with the New York Jets for a third stint with the team that drafted him. Davis, who was originally selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2012 draft, brings not only experience but a personal connection to Glenn.
Davis inked a two-year, $22 million contract with the Jets this offseason as part of New York's heavy investment in proven veterans, aimed at turning around an off-track locker room. His return represents unfinished business—Davis said he's "grateful" to be back in New York and added that he believes in "what's being built" under coach Aaron Glenn, noting that "Leaving here, I felt the mission personally was a little incomplete".
Geno Smith's Redemption Story Continues
Perhaps the most intriguing addition is Geno Smith, who returns to the Jets 13 years after they originally drafted him. Mougey struck early with trades for Fitzpatrick and nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat, later acquiring Smith in an inexpensive trade that will cost them $3.3 million in cash.
Geno Smith, 35, plucked off the scrap heap to replace Justin Fields, has made a positive impression in the building. Despite throwing a league-high 17 interceptions last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jets believe Smith's struggles were more about his situation than his abilities. The Jets are banking that Smith's poor 2025 was more a symptom of the Raiders' dysfunction than a cause and that he will benefit for the Jets having a much better offensive line than the Raiders did.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Anchors the Secondary
The Jets made a significant investment in their secondary by acquiring All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was acquired by the Jets for a seventh-round pick earlier this week — and then signed him to a three-year, $40 million contract extension — to anchor their secondary.
At 29, Fitzpatrick is the youngest of the veteran additions but brings invaluable playoff experience and a winning mentality. "I think when you bring in guys like that into a football program, I think there's a level of calm and a level of discipline and not being scared of the unknown," Fitzpatrick said. "That's extremely important because when things go bad, people want to press the red button and completely change how to do things."
David Onyemata Reunites with Glenn
The Jets signed veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata to a one-year contract in free agency. Like Davis, Onyemata has a previous relationship with Glenn from their time together in New Orleans, providing both on-field production and familiarity with the coach's system.
Onyemata had a run-stop-win-rate of 39% this past season, according to ESPN Stats & Info, which was tied for eighth-best in the entire league at his position, and Onyemata's 104 'wins' as a run stopper was third-most among all defensive tackles.
Balancing Present and Future
While the veteran additions signal urgency, the Jets haven't abandoned their long-term plan. Bailey headlined the defensive additions, but the Jets also made various moves in this area earlier in the offseason, including Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and T'Vondre Sweat. The team also used the second overall pick in the draft on Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, mixing youth with experience.
These contracts won't compromise much salary cap space in 2027, so the long-term plan remains in effect. General manager Darren Mougey has structured deals that allow flexibility while addressing immediate needs.
Urgency Permeates the Building
The Jets, coming off a 3-14 season, understand the magnitude of these moments. "Yeah, man, there's a real sense of urgency, I think, from everybody in here, just to be at our best every day," center Josh Myers said Tuesday after practice during voluntary organized team activities. "I just feel like I can feel it, starting from the top down."
The Jets have the NFL's longest active playoff drought at 15 years and Glenn is coming off a rough first season as a head coach. For Glenn, who may be coaching for his job, the veteran additions represent trusted voices who can help execute his vision and stabilize a franchise that has been adrift for far too long.
Whether 44 combined years of veteran experience can reverse 15 years of playoff futility remains to be seen, but the Jets have made a clear statement about their priorities: leadership, toughness, and accountability will be the foundation of their turnaround attempt.
Sources & Original Reporting
