New York Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo faces 2026 personnel uncertainty

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 2:38 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

New York Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo faces 2026 personnel uncertainty
Summary

New York Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo faces a difficult challenge entering the 2026 season following significant turnover in the kicking unit. The team led the NFL in field goal percentage last season, but kicker Nick Folk left in free agency. Since that departure, the team has cycled through six different kickers during the offseason. Blake Grupe will serve as the Week 1 starter after the team signed him from the waiver wire earlier this week. Although the Jets finished near the top of the league in return yards last year, the consistency of the current kicking game remains a primary concern for the coaching staff. Banjo, who was recently named to The Athletic's list of 50 rising NFL coaches under 40, now holds responsibility for stabilizing the specialists during the upcoming season.

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Status Watch
  • Chris Banjo appears on The Athletic 50 under 40 list for rising coaches.
  • The Jets finished the previous season with the league's top field goal percentage at 96.6 percent.
  • Blake Grupe is the starting kicker for Week 1 after the team used six different kickers this offseason.
  • The Jets previously led the league with 29.9 yards per kickoff return.
Latest Updates
  • 2:38 PMYahoo SportsJets special teams coach Chris Banjo will be tested in 2026
What they're saying
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New York Jets special teams coach Chris Banjo recently landed on a prestigious list, but he'll be tested in 2026.

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