ESPN's Mike Greenberg has a long history of believing in the New York Jets, but his latest forecast might be his most outlandish yet. On Friday's episode of "Get Up," the host went game-by-game through New York's 2026 schedule and concluded the team will finish with a staggering 15-2 record. Only losses to the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears? Seriously?
Greenberg's prediction includes sweeping the New England Patriots, upsetting the Denver Broncos, and taking down the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. For a team that just went 3-14 in 2025 under head coach Aaron Glenn, this is a leap of faith that borders on fantasy. "A tradition unlike any other – I pick the Jets record on schedule release day," Greenberg wrote on social media, asking fans for their thoughts. They were not kind.
"Lay off the weed, Greeny," one fan replied. Another countered with a more grounded 7-10 projection. "Are we back to delusion? I’ll jump on the crazy train with you," a third wrote. One fan even envisioned the opposite extreme: "The best part is I can see a 2-15 record where they beat Bears and Bills." The internet, predictably, had a field day.
But let's give Greenberg some credit. The Jets did make notable upgrades this offseason. They traded for quarterback Geno Smith, who, despite a rough 2025, has proven he can be a capable starter behind a solid offensive line. New York also invested in two promising offensive tackles in Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, which should help protect Smith and open lanes for star running back Breece Hall.
On the receiving end, the Jets added rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, both of whom bring speed and playmaking ability to Frank Reich's offense. If those pieces click, the Jets could indeed be more competitive than last year's dismal 3-14 campaign. But 15-2? That would require not just improvement, but a near-flawless run against a brutal schedule that includes the Bills, Chiefs, and a revenge-minded Patriots squad.
Greenberg's optimism also ignores the reality of the AFC. The conference is loaded with elite quarterbacks and deep rosters. The Jets, even with their upgrades, are still a long shot to make the playoffs, let alone challenge for a top seed. Prediction markets have New York's win total set around 7.5, a far cry from Greenberg's 15.
Maybe Greenberg is just having fun with his annual tradition, or maybe he genuinely believes the Jets are on the cusp of a miracle. Either way, his prediction is a reminder that in sports, hope springs eternal—even when it borders on the absurd.
What do you think? Are the Jets a sleeping giant, or is Greenberg's 15-2 forecast just another chapter in New York's long history of heartbreak?
