Jets and Buccaneers to Clash in Preseason Opener at MetLife Stadium
Tampa Bay and New York face off on Friday night in the first preseason game of 2026, with coaches assessing depth and rookies seeking their first NFL appearances.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets will meet at MetLife Stadium on Friday, 14 August 2026, for the first preseason game of the 2026 season. The fixture follows two days of joint practices in New Jersey, marking the transition from controlled training environments to live competition. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Both franchises are utilising the exhibition to evaluate roster depth as they approach mandatory roster cutdowns. For the Buccaneers, the game provides a platform for rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels to make his first NFL appearance. Head coach Todd Bowles and his staff are assessing players competing for reserve positions and special-teams roles, with Daniels expressing excitement about taking the field for the first time.
The Jets face similar personnel decisions as they attempt to solidify their bottom-half roster under actual game conditions. Head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff will observe how players perform against a live opponent, a step up from the joint sessions held earlier in the week.
Tension was evident during Tuesday’s joint practice session, which was described as particularly physical with multiple post-play confrontations reported. The intensity of those practices sets the stage for Friday’s contest, where the stakes are higher for players trying to secure their spots on the final roster before Week 1.
The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and is available for live streaming via Fubo. Regional restrictions may apply to the live stream, and the game can also be viewed in local markets through traditional television broadcasts.
