The 2026 NFL season is still over two weeks from kickoff, but New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is already turning heads with aggressive moves targeting 2027. NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports Johnson is showing serious interest in former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Tomlin Buzz Is Real, Y’all
The Jets just wrapped a three-win season in 2025. Their current head coach, Aaron Glenn, is on a scorching hot seat, and no one would be surprised if he gets the boot if the 2026 season goes south. That’s why La Canfora’s report on Woody Johnson’s pursuit of Mike Tomlin is so wild. Johnson is “asking a lot of questions” and “doing his homework on Tomlin.” La Canfora claims, “this one has legs.” Tomlin’s currently working for NBC in New York at Rockefeller Center, already in the city. Johnson, back in charge, knows the competition for Tomlin will be “steep.” La Canfora warns, “You are going to hear a lot about the Jets.” This is a full-blown roar before the season even starts!
Lamar Jackson Could Be Next on the Wishlist
The Tomlin interest isn’t the only bombshell. The Jets are also watching Lamar Jackson’s situation with the Baltimore Ravens. La Canfora writes that a “potential Tomlin hire could immediately trigger secondary moves across the league,” specifically “conversations pointing toward a pursuit of two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.” Jackson’s long-term future in Baltimore is “unresolved amidst ongoing contract negotiations.” He represents himself, and his current deal has an $84.5 million cap hit for 2027, plus standard no-trade and no-tag clauses. Multiple league executives believe Jackson could “explore potential trade avenues” after previous extension standoffs. If Tomlin lands in New York, where the Jets have a strong defensive core, there’s a belief Jackson would “strongly evaluate the destination.” These two share a “deep mutual respect built over years of AFC North battles.” Imagine that duo!
Jets Have the Capital to Make It Happen
So, how do the Jets pull off a blockbuster move for Tomlin and possibly Jackson? Draft capital! La Canfora points out they hold serious picks. They’ve got the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2027, snagged in the Quinnen Williams trade. On top of that, they hold the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round selection after trading away Sauce Gardner. That’s a ton of ammunition, giving them “premium draft capital” including “three first-round selections” overall. They’ve got the pieces to make noise.
The 2026 NFL season is about to begin, but the New York Jets are already cooking up a potential seismic shift for 2027. With Aaron Glenn’s seat hot, all eyes will be on how the Jets perform this year. Will Woody Johnson truly try to shake up the league by bringing in Mike Tomlin and maybe even Lamar Jackson? Get ready, football fans, because the next few months in New York could get wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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