Braelon Allen returns to Jets bigger, stronger after lost season

New York Jets' Braelon Allen talks to reporters after NFL football practice in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Braelon Allen is back for the Jets, and he hopes to be better than ever.

He already knows he is bigger.

The third-year running back said Wednesday that he is up to 250 pounds after playing last season at 240.

Braelon Allen stands on the field after being injured in the second quarter of the Jets' loss to the Dolphins on Sept. 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Getty Images

Allen had his 2025 season end in Week 4 after suffering a serious knee injury.

He said he added the weight by accident" through heavy weight lifting.

But the added weight has not slowed him down. The athletic testing the Jets have done show he is in the best shape he's been in.

This is quite literally the best I've ever felt, the biggest I've ever been, the strongest and fastest I've ever been," Allen said.

There were big expectations for Allen entering last season, but he played just four games and his season could not have ended worse.

He fumbled on the goal line against the Dolphins then injured his knee on a kickoff return.

I would say it definitely left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth, for sure, this whole offseason," Allen said. Obviously, my last carry was the fumble on the goal line and then the next time I touched the ball, it ended my season. Those are the two plays that I get to look back on as the last two of that year. Just attacked the rehab process with hunger and a whole lot of motivation. I never want to leave the field those two ways again."

Coach Aaron Glenn said Allen has looked good this spring and envisions him being both part of the running and passing game, this season along with Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis.

Braelon Allen talks to reporters after Jets practice in Florham Park, N.J. on June 10, 2026. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The Jets added veteran kicker Jason Sanders last week after the Giants cut him. The Jets expect him to compete with Cade York this summer for the job.

Sanders kicked for the Dolphins from 2018-24. He sat out last season with a hip injury.

Obviously, he did a really good job in Miami, and I've said this last time we spoke is, any time we can get a good player that can create competition, we want to bring the player in to be able to create that," Glenn said. Those guys will battle it out. I'm sure we'll see exactly how far this goes, but it's just creating competition."

Rookie QB Cade Klubnik sat out Wednesday's practice with back tightness. ... The Jets went heavy on special teams Wednesday, so it was only fitting that former special teams coach Mike Westhoff was there watching. He is receiving the Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this month.