First-year coach Aaron Glenn can enjoy the comforts of MetLife Stadium for his first two games — only the second time in the last 14 years the Jets’ first two games are at home.
From there, they’re in Florida for consecutive games — Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. The Jets haven’t played a September game in Miami since 2012. They haven’t done an early back-to-back in Florida since 2002. At least the Miami game is on a Monday night, which might make the conditions slightly less oppressive.
Here’s what’s in store for the Jets:
Jets 2025 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 7 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: Sept. 14 vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 3: Sept. 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4: Sept. 29 at Miami Dolphins (MNF)
Week 5: Oct. 5 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 6: Oct. 12 vs. Denver Broncos (London)
Week 7: Oct. 19 vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 8: Oct. 26 at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Nov. 9 vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 11: Nov. 13 at New England Patriots (TNF)
Week 12: Nov. 23 at Baltimore Ravens
Week 13: Nov. 30 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 14: Dec. 7 vs. Dolphins
Week 15: Dec. 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 16: Dec. 21 at New Orleans Saints
Week 17: Dec. 28 vs. Patriots
Week 18: TBD at Bills
*Date for Weeks 15 and 18 are to be determined
Strength of schedule: The Jets have the seventh-easiest schedule in the league (opponents had a .460 winning percentage in 2024).
Over/Under: 5.5 wins
Biggest takeaway
A year ago, the NFL couldn’t get enough of the Jets in prime time. This year, they’re an afterthought. They have only two dates, both divisional matchups — Dolphins and Patriots (Thursday night, Week 11). Such is life in the post-Aaron Rodgers era. The Jets do have some exciting young players, but their mass appeal isn’t the same without Rodgers. They received a league-record six prime-time games in the first 11 weeks of 2024 (one was flexed, so they played five). Glenn & Co. aren’t complaining. Fewer prime-time games mean fewer short weeks.
Circle this date
It’s the season opener, of course. Not only is it the debut of the Glenn era, but it’s a revenge game — and, quite possibly, a double-revenge game. Quarterback Justin Fields will face the Steelers, the team that benched him after a 4-2 start and the team that let him walk in free agency. If Rodgers winds up signing with the Steelers, as many expect, it will create a delicious storyline. The future Hall of Famer felt disrespected by the Jets (Glenn, in particular) when they released him, and now he will have a chance to ruin their opening-day party.
Key stretch
Glenn said the objective is to “win now.” We’ll find out quickly if that’s realistic because their first three games are against 2024 playoff teams — Steelers, Bills and Bucs. It’s by far the toughest stretch on the schedule. If Rodgers jilts the Steelers, and Mason Rudolph becomes the Week 1 starter, the opener becomes very winnable. Otherwise, it’s a potentially treacherous start. And don’t forget about Week 6 in London, where Glenn will meet one of his mentors, Sean Payton of the Broncos. That’s another tough one.
Bold prediction