Jets, TE Jeremy Ruckert Agree To Extension
The Jets and tight end Jeremy Ruckert have agreed to a two-year, $10MM contract extension, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The deal could max out at $11MM.
The Ruckert extension is the second one general manager Darren Mougey has doled out since last week. The team previously reached a two-year, $11MM agreement with center Josh Myers on Dec. 12.
Unlike Myers, who joined the Jets as a free agent, Ruckert is a homegrown product. With prior GM Joe Douglas at the helm, the Jets used a third-round pick on Ruckert in 2022. The former Ohio State Buckeye caught just one pass in nine games as a rookie, but his usage and production have increased since then.
After combining for 34 catches and 256 yards in 32 games from 2023-24, Ruckert has racked up career highs in receptions (20) and yards (163) in 14 contests this season. He hauled in his first career touchdown in Week 2.
Ruckert spent the previous couple of seasons working as a complementary piece behind starting tight end Tyler Conklin. While Conklin left for the Chargers in free agency last March, Ruckert has again served as the Jets’ No. 2 TE this year. Rookie Mason Taylor, a second-round pick, has established himself as one of the only real threats in the Jets’ offense. Taylor ranks first among Jets skill players in snap share (75%).
Despite Taylor’s presence, Ruckert has still seen a good amount of playing time in first-year coordinator Tanner Engstrand‘s run-first offense. The 25-year-old has played a career-high 43.2% of snaps. Ruckert has also been on the field for 26.9% of special teams plays.
Ruckert was just a few months from hitting the open market for the first time. Keeping him in the fold takes a little bit off Mougey’s plate ahead of the offseason. Running back Breece Hall, quarterback Tyrod Taylor, guards John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, and linebacker Quincy Williams are among notable Jets still on track to reach free agency in March.
Jets Waive WR Allen Lazard
Allen Lazard‘s Jets tenure is coming to an end. The veteran wideout has made a request to be let go, and New York is willing to grant it. 
The Jets are waiving Lazard, as first reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. He will hit the waiver wire once the transaction is processed. Provided Lazard clears, he will become a free agent. To no surprise, Florio adds Lazard aims to land with a contending team for the stretch run. The move is now official, per a team announcement.
After a strong showing in Green Bay while playing with Aaron Rodgers, expectations were high when Lazard signed with the Jets in 2023. Things largely did not go according to plan with New York, however. Last season – when Rodgers was healthy – Lazard managed to score six touchdowns in 12 games, but it came as little surprise when talk of a trade or release took place ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Even though Rodgers was not in the fold any longer, Lazard and the Jets worked out a pay cut agreement allowing him to remain in place. The former UDFA has made just 10 catches so far in 2025 with New York struggling on offense. As the 3-11 team turns to planning for the coming offseason, Lazard will seek out a fresh start. The 30-year-old was a pending 2026 free agent, but he will now reach the open market early.
Developing into a starter over the course of his Green Bay tenure, Lazard scored eight touchdowns in 2021. The following year, he set new career highs in receptions (60) and yards (788). That helped land the Iowa State product a four-year, $44MM pact in free agency. Given his and the Jets’ struggles this season, a trade (including to Rodgers’ Steelers) remained something to watch for leading up to the deadline. Nothing took place on that front, but Lazard will now become available to interested teams.
Pittsburgh has once again been in the market for receiver help this offseason. That has led to the additions of veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. Bringing in Lazard for the closing stages of the campaign would thus come as a surprise. Other teams in the playoff hunt could look to him as veteran depth, though, so it will be interesting to see if Lazard manages to generate a market in the coming days.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/16/25
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Marques Cox, S Patrick McMorris
- Released: T Trey Wedig
Buffalo Bills
- Released: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Dominique Hampton
- Released: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Denver Broncos
- Released: RB Sincere McCormick
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Keenan Garber
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Brandon Hill
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G LaDarius Henderson, G Bill Murray, T Zachary Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: G Nick Broeker, S Tanner McCalister
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
New York Jets
- Signed: S Jaylen Mahoney, LB Ochaun Mathis
- Released: QB Adrian Martinez
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: CB Isaiah Bolden
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR River Cracraft, WR Gee Scott Jr.
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: CB Darius Rush
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/16/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Jalen Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jawhar Jordan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: RB DeeJay Dallas
- Opened practice window: LB Jalen McLeod
- Placed on IR: LB Jack Kiser
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: DT Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: LB Chad Muma
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: S Jarius Monroe
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): G Garrett Dellinger
A steady presence in Arizona a couple years ago, Fotu started four of six game appearances for the Raiders this year. The occasional starts were not indicative of his true usage, though, as he hasn’t gotten consistent time on the field for Las Vegas in 2025. The Raiders will move on from the veteran as they shift focus in a lost season towards evaluating young talent with more gametime.
As a practice squad elevation this weekend, Jordan became the first Texans running back to eclipse the century mark in a game this year. Houston wasted little time in returning him to the active roster
Jets, C Josh Myers Agree To Extension
DECEMBER 16: Myers received a $1.8MM signing bonus and his 2026 base salary ($3.14MM) is fully guaranteed, per Over the Cap. Of his $4.94MM 2027 salary, $1MM is already guaranteed for injury. Myers’ new pact also contains annual workout bonuses along with per-game roster bonuses worth up to $510K per season.
DECEMBER 12: Josh Myers will not reach the open market in March. The veteran center has a new deal in place with the Jets, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Team and player have agreed to a two-year, $11MM extension, per Fowler. He adds this new pact contains $6MM in guaranteed money. Myers was on course for free agency after signing a one-year pact with New York this past spring. Instead, he will remain in place as the team aims for stability up front. This contract places Myers 13th in terms of AAV for centers.
A second-round pick of the Packers in 2021, Myers played out his rookie contract with Green Bay. During that time, he started all 56 of his appearances and – aside from his debut season – avoided any lengthy absences. Nevertheless, inconsistent showings on the field resulted in the Ohio State product only securing a $2MM deal from the Jets during his first trip to free agency. Myers has now landed a notable raise on his third NFL contract.
PFF has not graded any of Myers’ five seasons favorably, and his 53.6 mark for 2025 is the lowest of his career. The 27-year-old has remained consistent in that regard, however, and he will be expected to maintain his current level of play through the 2027 season. As a result of this agreement, the Jets have four of their cuttent starting offensive linemen under contract through at least next year.
That includes tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, taken in the first round of the past two drafts. Left guard John Simpson is a pending free agent, so it is unclear if he will continue playing alongside Myers beyond the final four games of the current season. Another projected vacancy up front for next year is at the right guard spot, as Alijah Vera-Tucker is set to see his rookie contract expire this spring. The oft-injured blocker is currently set to reach the market after missing the entire 2025 season.
That will deal a major blow to Vera-Tucker’s value, and it remains to be seen if he will remain in New York or move on in March. Regardless of what happens on that front, though, Myers will be counted on to continue operating as a full-time starter up front for a Jets team seeking improvements on offense for 2026 and beyond.
Jets Fire DC Steve Wilks
In the wake of another poor outing on defense, the Jets have made a late-season change on the sidelines. Head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Monday that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been fired. 
“I thought it was time to make a change,” Glenn said when speaking to the media to address the move (video link). “I’m going to make the decision that’s best for this organization at all times.”
Pass-game coordinator Chris Harris will handle DC duties for the remainder of the year. Glenn added (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) Harris will also call plays for the unit. The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, but as they spend their final three games attempting to bring about needed improvements on defense Wilks will not play a role.
As part of the Jets’ sweeping changes on the sidelines and in the front office this past offseason, Glenn (a rookie head coach) hired a veteran in the form of Wilks to lead the defense. Things have not gone according to plan on that side of the ball, however. New York sits 30th in the NFL in points allowed, and the last two weeks in particular have seen the team regress defensively. The Jets have yet to record an interception through 15 games.
Of course, the trade deadline saw major subtractions made on defense in the team’s case. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were dealt to the Colts and Cowboys, respectively. New York landed a notable haul in the case of both swaps, but expectations were tempered for the second half of the season. Nevertheless, the early portion of the campaign also included subpar performances on defense.
As the Jets plan for the 2026 offseason, today’s news confirms Wilks will not be in the organization for next year. The veteran staffer’s NFL tenure dates back to 2005 and it includes three stints as a DC. Wilks, 56, was also the Cardinals’ head coach in 2018 and he took over the Panthers in 2022 following Matt Rhule‘s dismissal.
Carolina did not retain Wilks on a full-time basis, and he spent the 2023 campaign leading the 49ers’ defense. San Francisco reached the Super Bowl that year, but reported tension with head coach Kyle Shanahan underscored Wilks’ time there. Upon being fired, the latter spent 2024 out of coaching. Wilks received another coordinator opportunity in the form of this Jets gig, but it has now ended after less than one season.
Harris will now receive a brief audition period in a coordinator role for the first time in his career. As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes, Harris’ coaching stock has surged in recent years. It will be interesting to see how he fares in an elevated role down the stretch. Glenn added to no surprise he will assist in defensive game-planning while Harris becomes a play-caller for the first time.
The 3-11 Jets will finish the year with games against the Saints, Patriots and Jets. The team will look for a rebound on defense during that stretch. Meanwhile, Wilks – who remains one of the plaintiffs in Brian Flores‘ lawsuit against the NFL and multiple teams – will once again find himself on the lookout for a new opportunity during the 2026 hiring cycle.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Sunday’s action provided more clarity on a number of fronts relating to the playoff pushes in each conference. The list of teams still in contention for the top pick in the 2026 draft remains long, however.
Week 15 saw the Broncos and Rams clinch a postseason berth. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, Bengals and Vikings have each officially been eliminated from the playoffs. They will join the group of teams turning their attention to offseason planning. That of course includes extensive evaluation of the top prospects in this year’s class; several have already turned pro (with some exceptions).
Sunday’s results mean there are nine teams with two, three or four wins. Each of them remain candidates to secure the No. 1 selection, although victories by the Saints and Commanders yesterday will greatly hinder their chances of moving to the top of the order. Jockeying amongst teams like the Raiders, Jets and Cardinals (each on track to pursue a new quarterback this spring) will be a storyline worth following closely down the stretch.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
- Tennessee Titans (2-12)
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets (3-11)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders (4-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Miami Dolphins (6-8)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7)
- Detroit Lions (8-6)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-2)
Jets Place DB Isaiah Oliver On IR
Isaiah Oliver‘s season has come to an end. The Jets placed the defensive back on injured reserve today, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Oliver suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Jaguars. While the safety was initially deemed questionable, he didn’t end up returning to the game. Now, his season has effectively ended with his placement on IR.
Oliver joined the Jets ahead of the 2024 campaign and got into about half of his team’s defensive snaps last season, finishing with 57 tackles, a sack, and three passes defended. He’s started only two of his 14 appearances in 2025 while seeing a drop in his defensive reps. Still, he’s been a mainstay on special teams, and his season will end with him having compiled 55 tackles and three passes defended.
The Jets have shuffled Oliver around the defense this season, with the veteran spending time at safety, cornerback, and in the box. With Tony Adams nursing a groin injury, the Jets may need to get creative with their secondary in Week 16. Qwan’tez Stiggers (62), Jordan Clark (45), and Dean Clark (31) all saw season-highs in snaps during yesterday’s loss, and that trio will likely be in line for an expanded role on Sunday.
To help make up for the lost depth, the Jets did add a healthy body today. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that the team signed defensive back Keidron Smith off the Broncos practice squad. The former UDFA got into nine games for Denver last season, collecting seven tackles while seeing the majority of his playing time on special teams.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/13/25
Here are today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for Week 15’s Sunday slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: T Christian Jones
- Elevated: WR Jalen Brooks, WR Trent Sherfield
- Placed on IR: DT Bilal Nichols
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Dane Jackson, DE Andre Jones Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: LB Isaiah Simmons
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: OL Garrett Dellinger
- Elevated: S Chris Edmonds, DT Maurice Hurst
- Waived: WR Jamari Thrash
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: LB Jordan Turner
- Elevated: WR Michael Bandy, QB Sam Ehlinger
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: TE Shane Zylstra
- Elevated: S Erick Hallett, TE Giovanni Ricci
- Placed on IR: S Brian Branch (story)
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: RB Pierre Strong
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: TE Harrison Bryant
- Elevated: RB Jawhar Jordan, S K’Von Wallace
- Waived: RB Cody Schrader
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: G C.J. Hanson
- Elevated: T Chukwuebuka Godrick, DT Zacch Pickens
- Placed on IR: T Wanya Morris (story)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Shedrick Jackson, G Atonio Mafi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Dalevon Campbell, S Marcus Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: S Tanner Ingle
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: RB D’Ernest Johnson
- Elevated: DT Leonard Taylor
- Placed on IR: RB Terrell Jennings
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, K Charlie Smyth
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: WR Dalen Cambre, OLB Tomon Fox
- Elevated: DT Elijah Chatman, P Cameron Johnston
- Placed on IR: OLB Victor Dimukeje, CB Nic Jones
- Waived: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Cam Jones
- Elevated: CB Tre Brown, QB Adrian Martinez
- Placed on IR: CB Azareye’h Thomas
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Andre’ Sam
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: DE Rylie Mills
- Elevated: RB Velus Jones
- Placed on IR: TE Elijah Arroyo
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: T John Ojukwu
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: CB Darius Rush
Nichols began the year on the reserve/PUP list. The eight-year veteran has been hampered by injuries since signing with the Cardinals in 2024. After playing just six games last year, Nichols’ 2025 campaign will end after only four appearances.
Bryant makes his return to the Texans’ offense to replenish a thinned out tight ends group, while in Seattle, the Seahawks place their second-round rookie tight end, Arroyo, on injured reserve with a knee injury.
In Buffalo, this will be Jackson’s third and final standard gameday practice squad elevation. If the team wants to see him in another game this season, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster. The same is true for Strong in Green Bay, Jackson and Mafi in Las Vegas, Smyth in New Orleans, Sam in Philadelphia, and Jones in Seattle.
On the flip side of that, in Denver, Turner has been signed to the 53-man roster after running out of elevations last week.
Thomas suffered a shoulder injury in Week 14 and it will end his season. The third-round rookie confirmed on social media today he is set to undergo surgery in the near future. Thomas made five starts in 2025, totaling 22 tackles and seven pass deflections.
Jets To Start QB Brady Cook In Week 15
The Jets’ quarterback injuries will result in a third different passer receiving a start in 2025. Brady Cook will get the nod for Week 15, head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Friday. 
Both Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields have been sidelined during practice this week. As they recover, Cook will make his first career start on Sunday. The undrafted rookie has been able to participate in practice in recent days, with the same also being true of Adrian Martinez (h/t ESPN’s Rich Cimini).
As such, a Cook-Martinez tandem will be in place at the QB spot on Sunday against the Jaguars. Cook replaced Taylor last week, allowing him to see his first regular season game action. For at least one week, Cook will now be tasked with handling quarterback duties during a full contest. Sunday’s game does not carry playoff implications for New York but it will for Jacksonville.
The 9-4 Jags are competing for top spot in the AFC South down the stretch. The Jets, meanwhile, are one of eight teams entering Week 15 with either two or three wins. Where the team winds up in the first-round draft order will of course be critical given New York’s need for a long-term quarterback investment.
Fields began the season atop the depth chart, but his struggles in the passing game resulted in Taylor taking over. Fields was surprised by his benching, and he has expressed an expectation for future starting opportunities. The free agent addition is under contract for 2026, but a parting of ways would not surprise many in his case. Taylor, 36, is set to reach the open market this spring.
The Jets’ new HC-GM combo of Glenn and Darren Mougey will therefore have the opportunity to rebuild at the quarterback position this offseason. Part of their planning at the position, of course, will be dictated by how Cook and – if he manages to see the field – Martinez perform late in the campaign. At least one could provide depth under center for 2026 depending on how the next several months play out.
Signed to a futures contract in January, Martinez was waived by the Jets during roster cutdowns. The former UDFA wound up joining the 49ers and making one appearance with them. Earlier this week, Martinez returned to New York via a practice squad deal to give the team a healthy option. That will see him dress for Week 15, but it will be Cook leading the offense on Sunday.