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Handing out Jets training camp superlatives as season nears
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- Handing out Jets training camp superlatives as season nears
Jets awards
The Jets wrapped up training camp this week and closed out the preseason with Friday night's game against the crosstown Giants .
Now, it's on to Week 1 and their game against Robert Saleh's Titans on Sept. 13. Before we get there, let's take a look at some things we learned during camp.
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Take flight with the Jets
Text with Brian Costelloall season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.
Roll out the red carpet. It's time for The Campies — our Jets training camp awards.
Drumroll please …
Team MVP
Garrett Wilson
Look, we know how good Wilson is, and the Jets desperately missed him last season when he injured his knee. If you watch Jets practice every day and ask yourself who is the one guy this team can't lose, it's him.
Wilson made some dynamic catches and juked about six Buccaneers defenders on one catch in a joint practice. He is in his prime, and maybe Geno Smith can be the quarterback he's been searching for.
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) walks off the field after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Jets in a pre-season game in East Rutherford, NJ, on Friday, August 14, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
The Jets look pretty solid at receiver, but an injury to Wilson would torpedo that. Adonai Mitchell is a nice No. 2 receiver ; he's not a No. 1. Omar Cooper Jr. and Isaiah Williams can be third and fourth receivers; neither is a No. 2. You get the point. The Jets need to keep No. 5 on the field.
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Most impressive
David Bailey
The hype around the No. 2 overall pick has gotten loud, and he's earned it. Bailey has been the star of training camp. He has been a constant in the offensive backfield. Yes, what are considered sacks in camp (when QBs can't be touched) won't all be real sacks in a game, but they will be pressures.
Jets linebacker David Bailey (31) is blocked by Buccaneers offensive lineman Benjamin Chukwuma (70) as he attempts to get to quarterback Connor Bazelak (16) during the first quarter of a preseason game on Friday, August 14, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
The guy has an unbelievable first step and has won with power more than I expected. It will be a surprise if Bailey does not have an immediate impact.
Most improved
Isaiah Williams
Williams was the feel-good story of the Jets 2025 season — there were not many other candidates — when he rebounded from a bad performance to win Team MVP. But that was all about his return skills.
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This summer, he has shown potential as a wide receiver and is pushing rookie Omar Cooper Jr. for the No. 3 job, creating a social-media panic among Jets fans.
The truth is Williams has forced the issue by making plays early in camp. He faded a bit down the stretch and did have a fumble against the Steelers, but it still feels like he can have a big role on offense this season.
Biggest disappointment (who practiced)
David Onyemata
The Jets signed Onyemata to a one-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason to help solidify the defensive line and bring some veteran leadership. I can't speak on the leadership, but Onyemata has had a very quiet camp. Now, this could be partially because Onyemata's specialty is stopping the run, and it's not always easy to judge that part of a noncontact practice. Still, others on the D-line have popped up and made plays. I have not noticed Onyemata all summer.
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Biggest disappointment (injured division)
Kenyon Sadiq & D'Angelo Ponds (tie)
Sadiq practiced for the first few days of camp and then was shut down as he dealt with a setback from hernia surgery. Ponds never saw the field because of a calf strain. It's always bad when rookies miss time in camp, but this feels even worse because the Jets had plans of using these guys in multiple roles. Versatility was one of their strengths. It's hard to prepare for one role, never mind multiple, if you don't practice.
Both are supposed to be healthy by Week 1, but you have to expect them to be limited early in the season.
Jets' Kenyon Sadiq speaks to the media after practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ, on August 1, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Biggest surprise
Darrell Jackson Jr.
Jackson was a Jets fourth-round pick, and it looked like he would have a hard time finding playing time at a crowded position. But he took advantage of extra reps while T'Vondre Sweat was not practicing and has impressed.
Jackson is not going to have the same rookie impact of Bailey, but he should be part of the D-line rotation, and you'll notice the 6-foot-5, 315 pounder.
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Biggest concern
Kicker
The Jets ended their kicking competition by cutting Cade York this week. That leaves Jason Sanders , but I'm not convinced he'll be their Week 1 kicker. I expect general manager Darren Mougey to scour the waiver wire for kickers and see if he can bring someone else here.
I don't think there's any doubt Jets fans at some point are going to bemoan losing Nick Folk.
