As the 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 6, the league's final 53-man rosters are set, and a familiar question arises: where have all the former New York Jets landed? With a new regime in Florham Park, many veterans and hopefuls from the Adam Gase and Robert Saleh eras have scattered across the league. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk has combed through every roster to track the offensive ex-Jets who will suit up elsewhere in 2026, from starting quarterbacks to practice squad depth pieces.
Quarterbacks: From Darnold to Rodgers, a League of Former Signal-Callers
The most prominent former Jet under center is Sam Darnold, who will lead the Seattle Seahawks after a Super Bowl MVP campaign in 2025. Darnold's resurgence has been one of the league's best stories, and he remains a top-tier starter. Elsewhere, Aaron Rodgers returns for his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Tyrod Taylor secured the backup role in Green Bay behind Jordan Love. In Kansas City, Justin Fields will back up a healthy Patrick Mahomes, a role that could see spot duty in creative packages. The New Orleans Saints kept Zach Wilson as their third quarterback, a far cry from his days as the No. 2 overall pick. Wilson impressed in preseason, completing 20 of 28 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, but he'll sit behind Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler.
Skill Positions: Wide Receivers and Running Backs Find Fresh Starts
The wide receiver carousel was particularly active. Davante Adams, who spent a brief stint with the Jets in 2025, is now a team captain for the Los Angeles Rams and should be a primary target. Elijah Moore made the Philadelphia Eagles' roster, while John Metchie III earned a spot with the Carolina Panthers after a strong preseason (7 catches, 82 yards). Kalif Raymond stuck with the Chicago Bears despite not playing in preseason, and Malachi Corley made the Cleveland Browns after a quiet preseason. The Buffalo Bills made a curious move, cutting three former Jets wideouts (Mecole Hardman, Mac Dalena, Quentin Skinner) but signing Greg Dortch—who had just been released by Detroit—to their practice squad. In the backfield, Ty Johnson returns as Buffalo's third-down back, Israel Abanikanda is on Dallas's practice squad, and Bam Knight made the Arizona Cardinals as a third running back until James Conner returns from IR.
Offensive Line: Veterans Provide Depth Across the League
Several former Jets linemen have found steady roles. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Morgan Moses are starters for the New England Patriots, while Greg Van Roten provides veteran depth behind Mike Onwenu. John Simpson will start at left guard for the Baltimore Ravens, and Dan Feeney is the backup center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Corey Levin made the Atlanta Falcons, and Esa Pole was signed to Washington's practice squad after being waived by Kansas City.
Notable Cuts and Surprises
Not every story is a happy one. The New York Giants cut Braxton Berrios and Xavier Gipson, though Berrios was re-signed to their practice squad. The Detroit Lions initially cut Tyler Conklin but brought him back the next day. The Cincinnati Bengals chose Joe Flacco over Josh Johnson as their backup quarterback, with Johnson landing on the practice squad. The Miami Dolphins surprised many by claiming Brady Cook off waivers from the Jets, placing him on their 53-man roster. Unfortunately, Chuma Edoga was a surprise cut by Jacksonville, and Trystan Colon retired. The San Francisco 49ers let go of Khalil Herbert and Adrian Martinez, while Denver waived Tarik Black, who later landed with Detroit.
Vulius Analysis: What This Means for the 2026 Season
As Vulius Sports has highlighted, the sheer number of former Jets contributing across the league underscores the talent evaluation challenges in New York. While some, like Darnold, have thrived elsewhere, others are fighting for roster spots. The Jets' own 2026 campaign will be closely watched, but these ex-players add intriguing subplots to every matchup. Stay tuned to Vulius for Part II, where we'll break down the defensive ex-Jets and their new homes.
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