The New York Jets are grappling with quarterback instability, a situation not unfamiliar to the franchise since Joe Namath’s departure 50 years ago. The Jets had three quarterbacks start at least four games apiece last season.
Navigating the Post-Rodgers Landscape
The Jets are currently in a period defined as post-Aaron Rodgers/pre-(insert mystery name). The organisation could have a new set of quarterbacks in 2026. After free agent negotiating starts Monday, the seats at the table are expected to start filling up.
The Jets hope to address their short-term needs by acquiring a bridge quarterback, saving the long term for next month’s draft — or maybe next year’s draft.
Some fans want them to punt on 2026, waiting for Arch Manning, Dante Moore & Co. in the 2027 draft, but coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey need to win games after last season’s 3-14 mess.
Veteran Options and the Draft Strategy
It’s imperative they choose the right veteran out of a mediocre group of options and decide whether Ty Simpson — widely regarded as the draft’s best quarterback prospect not named Fernando Mendoza — is worth New York’s second (16th overall) or third (33rd) pick.
These judgments will impact the franchise for several years to come. The Jets, who haven’t sent a quarterback to the Pro Bowl since Brett Favre in 2008, aren’t exactly a hot destination.
A longtime personnel executive said, “You’re going into the Black Hole.”
A handful of longtime starters are expected to be salary cap casualties and will be available for the minimum salary ($1.3 million) because they’re still owed massive guarantees from their soon-to-be-former teams.
Financial Considerations and Future Plans
Unless they sign Malik Willis, an unrestricted free agent expected to make at least $20 million per year, the Jets probably won’t have to make a financial splurge for a quarterback. Remember, they owe $10 million guaranteed to Justin Fields, who will leave a $22 million dead cap charge in the likely event of his release.
The apparent plan is to find a veteran placeholder and reevaluate in 2027, when they can use their treasure chest of draft picks (three first-rounders) to position themselves for a quarterback.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said, “If it were me having five first-round picks over the next two years, I wouldn’t be in a rush to [draft] a quarterback this year, just because you have so much flexibility in this year’s draft”. “I believe this year they just need to get those pillar p