Kenyon Sadiq Primed to be A Bigger Part of the New York Jets Attack

The New York Jets waited a long time to see what Kenyon Sadiq could do.

Sadiq missed the entire preseason and most of training camp while recovering from offseason hernia and core muscle surgery, He had a subsequent recovery setback in early August.

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Despite the delay, Sadiq opened eyes in the first game against the Tennessee Titans. He became the first NFL tight end since 1978 to score his first career touchdown on a rushing play. Sadiq also caught three passes, as coordinator Frank Reich moved him around the field, setting him up in the slot, backfield and wide during his 28 snaps.

Reich is known to favor his tight ends in the game plan. As Sadiq grows, that could add an awesome weapon to the Jets attack, given his blazing speed.

Sadiq was a controversial selection by the Jets in the 2026 NFL draft. His college career in Oregon wasn’t spectacular, and there was chatter that the Jets should have taken a wide receiver as the 16th pick rather than Sadiq. That was particularly true since the Jets had spent a second-rounder the year prior on tight end Mason Taylor, who had a strong rookie year.

Even Sadiq was surprised by where he was selected in the draft. He thought his official draft phone call from head coach Aaron Glenn was a prank, resulting in a video that went viral.

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Offensive coordinator Reich had his doubts at first.

“A few weeks ago, I [said] we’d have to phase him in since he hadn’t practiced — and I meant that — but then I saw him practice for one week, and … I thought, ‘Oh no, he’s ready to go,’ ” Reich said Thursday to the New York Post. “We went [into Week 1] with the reins off and just said, ‘Let’s play football.’

“I’ve never coached a tight end quite like him. He’s humble, but a confident player. What I like is, he doesn’t have a big ego. He just wants to do his job, wants to be part of the unit, wants to see all the tight ends excel. I’m excited about that.”

Sadiq spent his downtime during training camp studying the other tight ends.

“I didn’t have those reps during camp, so I was really focusing on the mental reps, seeing what everyone was doing, so that when it was time for me to come in and work, it wasn’t like I was making a big jump or anything,” he said.

It paid off in Week 1. Now the Jets are looking to see if he can be even more of a factor in the offense.

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This story was originally published September 18, 2026 at 12:36 PM.