The one trait Jets GM keeps targeting in new players

When general manager Darren Mougey joined the Jets in January of 2025, it was a footnote in the arrival of head coach Aaron Glenn. Owner Woody Johnson even went as far as calling Mougey Glenn’s sidekick in their introductory press conference.

One year later, things couldn’t be more different.

While Glenn is still able to draw free agents, his reputation has taken a hit following a 3-14 season, highlighted by an 0-7 start and finishing with the worst December point differential in NFL history. Conversely, Mougey’s stock is on the rise.

Mougey’s tenure has been highlighted by his incredible total of 12 player trades. Whether it’s trading away players like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for a haul of assets or acquiring contributors like Jowon Briggs and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. for minimal capital, Mougey has set the Jets up with a bright future.

Amidst all the roster turnover, there is a central trait guiding Mougey’s decisions.

Youth.

Mougey remains focused on adding youth to Jets roster

The Jets went all in by trading for Aaron Rodgers in the 2023 offseason, and they complemented the move by loading up on older players who could help the team win immediately. Unfortunately, it did not amount to anything on the field.

When Mougey joined the Jets after the 2024 season, they had one of the oldest rosters in the NFL (average age of 27.5, eighth-highest). To get the Jets back in position for long-term sustainability, he needed to inject the roster with youth.

Going into 2026, the Jets only have five players aged 30 and up:

• LB Demario Davis, 37
• QB Geno Smith, 35
• DT David Onyemata, 33
• LS Thomas Hennessy, 31
• DT Harrison Phillips, 30

Mougey has made a concerted effort to add young players to the Jets roster. Across his many trades, he added several under-25 players who remain on the roster:

• WR Adonai Mitchell, 23
• DT Jowon Briggs, 24
• DT Mazi Smith, 24
• DT T’Vondre Sweat, 24
• CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., 24

This pattern holds in free agency as well:

• S Andre Cisco, 25 (When signed in 2025)
• DE Joseph Ossai, 25
• DE Kingsley Enagbare, 26
• G Dylan Parham, 26
• C Josh Myers, 26 (When signed in 2025)

The youth movement even extends to the NFL draft.

Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas and tight end Mason Taylor were the sixth and tenth-youngest players selected in the entire 2025 draft. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Armand Membou was the fourth-youngest player drafted in the first round. All three players were 21 when they made their NFL debuts.

Given this, Mougey may be interested in Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who is only 20 years old with a ceiling higher than the Empire State Building.

With all these moves, the Jets’ roster age has dropped from 27.5 (eighth-oldest) in 2024 all the way down to 25.8 (second-youngest).

The Jets have not filled their team with stopgaps or band-aids. Instead, they are building around players who are still developing and can anchor the organization for years to come.

Whether it pans out will all come down to head coach Aaron Glenn, who has plenty of confidence that he can unlock the young players’ potential.

This year, the Jets added several veteran leaders who fit Glenn’s vision for the team. Whether it’s David Onyemata on the defensive line, Demario Davis at linebacker, Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary, or Geno Smith leading the offense, New York has the locker-room leadership needed to support the development of young players.

It’s clear Mougey has a long-term plan in place. He purged the old guard for as many assets as he could get, restocked the roster with talented youngsters, and added veterans to lead them.

Now, the coaching staff needs to ensure it all translates to wins.