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2026 New York Jets Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
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- 2026 New York Jets Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
Training camp began this week for the New York Jets and there is plenty of optimism surrounding the team in 2026. By most accounts, the team had a terrific offseason adding quality veterans with familiarity playing for head coach Aaron Glenn and also set themselves up for a nice future with their 2026 NFL draft class at key positions.
Jets Wire will break down each position and focus on key matchups as well as discuss a player that has plenty to prove to this coaching staff in 2026. For our next position breakdown, we look at Linebacker, an area on the team that still feels incomplete after bringing back a former Jet for his third run with the team .
Will McDonald IV #9, Demario Davis #56, Jowon Briggs #91- New York Jets (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
2025 Recap
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The Jets brought back Jamien Sherwood on a three-year deal after having an excellent 2024 season, the last on his rookie contract. But, under defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Sherwood never looked comfortable as the quarterback of the defense and was a major liability in coverage. While he did have 110 tackles, ranking him fourth among all linebackers, opposing quarterbacks had a field day combining for a passer rating of 125.1 against him.
Jermaine Johnson had a very disappointing final season in New York before being traded to Tennessee at the start of the offseason. Marcellino McCrary Ball was basically a walking personal foul penalty who crushed the Jets at the worst possible times when the defense was about to get off the field. Kiko Mauigoa was nothing special as a rookie and missed the final five games with an injury.
2026 Depth Chart
Demario Davis , Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball , Mykal Walker
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The Jets bring back a fan favorite in Davis for his third stint with the team. Yes, he's 37 years old, but still plays with a high motor and is one of the top linebackers in the league. He'll also serve as an excellent mentor to Sherwood, who needs to rebound from last year. McCrary Ball's lack of discipline makes it tough to trust him on the defense.
This looks like a very weak unit on paper, and while having Davis back in New York to be a leader is great, leadership only goes so far and eventually, the lack of talent starts to show. it wouldn't be surprising if the Jets add a veteran before the start of the season, either by trade or in free agency. Among the free agents still available include Matt Milano , who could be a valuable asset when the Jets face the Bills this season, and former New York Giant Bobby Okereke .
Player With Plenty to Prove
Kiko Mauigoa
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The former Miami Hurricane heads into his second season with an opportunity to secure a starting spot in the Jets 4-3 defense. His numbers ranked at the bottom of the league in most categories, but it was a little unfair to expect miracles out of Mauigoa, selected in the fifth-round last year.
Similar to Sherwood, having Davis as a mentor could be very beneficial to Mauigoa's development in Year two. He'll get a long look in training camp and should see plenty of playing time in the preseason. The Jets will probably mix and match their defensive ends at outside linebacker as well, which could hurt Mauigoa's chances of making the final roster. Free agent signings Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare have experience playing the position as does rookie David Bailey, the second overall pick in this year's draft. If Mauigoa can't break into the rotation, he could remain with the Jets on special teams.
Key Matchup
None
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We already know that Davis and Sherwood have two of the three starting spots lined up on the defense. It's very tough to hype up a Kiko Mauigoa-Marcelino McCrary Ball competition as both players bring plenty of flaws and make the defense worse. The Jets have plenty of cap space still available for situations like this and it's more likely that they will add a veteran or two right before the start of the season. GM Darren Mougey is not afraid to try and improve the roster right after the preseason ends and did it last year, acquiring Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips to strengthen the defensive line after the free agents initially signed did not play well.
Way Too Early 2026 Depth Chart
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Bobby Okereke
Jets fans should be very nervous with the way the depth chart at linebacker is looking at this moment. This is a very risky roll of the dice by Mougey to not bring in any additional veterans to make them stronger. They should not automatically count on Davis to stay healthy for an entire season, especially at 37 years old. Sherwood needs to step up big time in his second season or he probably won't be around for a third. I included Okereke in my final depth chart more for wishful thinking. Mougey and Glenn will give McCrary-Ball and Mauigoa a chance to earn a roster spot.
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The linebacker position has been underappreciated for far too long on the Jets. They are the quarterback of the defense and are expected to be able to cover the tight end or a running back coming out of the flat. This position as it stands is the defense's achilles heel and opposing teams that feature the tight end in their offenses could crush the Jets with the short passing game. It's important they add another veteran before the season opener on September 13 in Tennessee. Praying this unit holds up as is for a full season is not an option.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 New York Jets Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
