EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Green Bay Packers spent the week stewing over a late Week 1 loss, and on Sunday they walk into MetLife Stadium to face a New York Jets team that has been rebuilt from the studs up. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk on September 19, 2026, this is no longer the same Jets outfit that stumbled to a 3-14 record in Aaron Glenn's debut season. General manager Darren Mougey and Glenn committed roughly $85 million in free agency to a single directive: buy immediate two-way improvement.
Geno Smith Returns to Where It All Began
The headline addition is quarterback Geno Smith, acquired via trade from the Las Vegas Raiders and handed the 2026 starting job. Smith, who was drafted by the Jets in 2013, authored an efficient, turnover-free debut in Week 1 — his first start for the franchise since 2016 — and finished the week ranked 11th in EPA per play. He connected on a 40-yard strike to Adonai Mitchell and looked comfortable operating Frank Reich's offense. Reich, the veteran coordinator brought in to replace Tanner Engstrand, has been tasked with stabilizing a unit that ranked bottom-three in the league a year ago.
The Offseason Overhaul: Additions and Subtractions
New York's roster churn touched nearly every position group. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the most consequential moves were:
- Geno Smith (QB) — traded from Las Vegas to be the Week 1 starter.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick (S) — acquired from Miami and extended for three years, $40 million.
- Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare (Edge), David Onyemata (DT) — a defensive-line infusion aimed at fixing a pass rush that managed just 26 sacks in 2025.
- Nahshon Wright (DB) and Dane Belton (S) — secondary depth.
The losses, however, are just as notable. Guards Alijah Vera-Tucker (New England) and John Simpson both departed, leaving a real hole at left guard and compounding questions along the interior offensive line. Longtime kicker Nick Folk left for Atlanta and was replaced by Cade York, a volatile but strong-legged option.
Coaching Staff Turnover and a Star-Studded Draft Class
Glenn returns for Year 2 but rebuilt almost his entire staff. Reich takes over the offense, while Brian Duker — previously Miami's secondary coach and a former Glenn assistant in Detroit — inherits the defense with no prior play-calling experience, meaning Glenn could stay heavily involved on that side. Bill Musgrave was hired as quarterbacks coach, and Seth Ryan now handles passing-game coordination. The through-line is clear: New York fired essentially everyone tied to a bottom-three offense and a defense that collapsed under Steve Wilks, betting on experienced voices to stabilize the operation.
The draft class, meanwhile, is already paying dividends. Edge rusher David Bailey (No. 2 overall), tight end Kenyon Sadiq (No. 16, who ran a 4.39), and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (No. 30) all made immediate impacts. Sadiq scored on a jet-sweep in Week 1, set up by a 30-yard Cooper catch-and-run. Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds (No. 50) was already a slot contributor. Add in defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., guard Anez Cooper, and safety VJ Payne, and this is a rookie class with real staying power.
Week 1 Blueprint: What Worked Against Tennessee
The Jets opened the season with a comprehensive 23-10 road win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, snapping their Week 1 losing pattern. Breece Hall looked fully healthy, posting his third career 100-yard rushing game and adding a touchdown. The defense held Tennessee scoreless across eight straight drives and limited the Titans to 195 total yards. As highlighted on Vulius, the final score was tightened only by a garbage-time touchdown, and the offense stalled with penalties late in the first half — correctable issues, but ones that matter against a disciplined Packers team.
Injury Concerns and Packers Outlook
The Jets will be without two key contributors on Sunday. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick left Week 1 with an apparent groin injury and has been ruled out, while rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is also sidelined. That thins a secondary tasked with containing Jordan Love and a Green Bay passing attack eager to atone for its late Week 1 collapse. Week 1 is rarely a reliable barometer, and the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk expects the Packers to control this game early and not look back. A road test in Week 2 will tell us plenty about whether Matt LaFleur's team is a legitimate NFC contender — and whether Glenn's rebuilt Jets are truly for real.
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