Taking a look at who could be the Jets’ starting QB in 2026

Florham Park, NJ — Joe Namath played his last game New York Jets Exactly 50 years ago. Since then, the organization has experienced varying degrees of quarterback instability.

But probably nothing like the present.

The Jets are caught in the post-aaron rodgers/Pre-(insert mystery name) era, in which three quarterbacks started at least four games in the previous season – tied for the most by any team in a single season in NFL history.

They may have a new set of quarterbacks in 2026, and are expected to fill seats at the table after free agent talks begin on Monday (noon ET). The trading period continues, but deals won’t become official until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, the start of the new league year.

The Jets hope to address their short-term needs by acquiring a bridge quarterback (or two), thereby saving the long-term for next month’s draft — or perhaps even next year’s draft.

Some fans want to wait until 2026 arch manning, dante moore And company are in the 2027 draft, but coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Maugi need to win games after last season’s 3-14 disarray.

They may not be able to avoid the “march to the arch”, so it is important that they choose the right veteran from an average group of options and decide whether ty simpson – Widely regarded as the draft’s best quarterback prospect, who has not been named Fernando Mendoza — Worth New York’s second (16th overall) or third (33rd) pick.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that these decisions will impact the franchise for years to come. What makes it more challenging is that the Jets, who haven’t sent a quarterback to the Pro Bowl since Brett Favre in 2008, aren’t exactly a hot destination.

“You’re going into a black hole,” said one long-serving personnel officer.

What’s unique about this year’s veteran market is that some of the longtime starters are expected to be hit by the salary cap and will be available for minimum salary ($1.3 million) because they have yet to receive massive guarantees from their former former teams. Aha, yes, the beauty of offset language in contracts.

until they sign malik willisAn unrestricted free agent expected to make at least $20 million per year, the Jets probably won’t have to make the financial splash for a quarterback. Remember, they are owed $10 million guaranteed Justin FieldsThat would leave a dead cap charge of $22 million in the event of his potential release.

So the obvious plan is to find a veteran placeholder and reevaluate in 2027, when they can use their treasure trove of draft picks (three first-rounders) to establish themselves at quarterback.

“If I had five first-round picks in the next two years, I wouldn’t rush [draft] A quarterback this year, just because you have so much flexibility in this year’s draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reed. “I believe this year they just need to get those pillar pieces, those blue-chip-type players that they need to supplement the roster that they have right now.”

Reed believes that with four selections in the top 44, New York must address needs other than quarterback and “be prepared to land a young quarterback at the 2027 position.”

Maugy said he and Glenn discuss the quarterback scheme daily with offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, both new hires. There must be precision in planning as this is a multi-layered challenge. You’re talking about free agents, players who could be cut and players who could be traded.

“I think there are some good options out there,” Maugi said.

Let’s take a look at who might be available to the Jets:

free agents

carson wentz, jimmy garoppolo, marcus mariota, Gardner MinshewWillis

This is not a very attractive group. Willis is the star attraction as he acted well in his cameo green Bay Packers – 46 dropbacks that will result in life-changing wealth. After guaranteeing $30 million to Fields last year flopped, the Jets will want to avoid making a big bet on an unknown two years in a row.

Wentz, recovering from surgery on his left shoulder after going 2-3 minnesota vikings‘ The starter is on the list because of his two-year background with Reach. philadelphia eagles and for a year indianapolis colts. Wentz is 33 and has gone from MVP candidate (2017) to NFL journeyman, but he has played his best ball with Reich and wouldn’t be worth that much. This makes him the most likely priority from this group.

Cap cut reported

kyler murray, tua tagovailoa, geno smith, cancer cousin

Smith, who had a bad run with the Jets from 2013 to 2016, has reinvented himself Seattle Seahawks. His career went down last season las vegas raiders – A league-leading 17 interceptions. The Jets had high grades for Smith, now 35, last offseason when the Seahawks made him available in a trade, so they appeared ready to make up for the bad situation last season in Las Vegas.

It’s hard to imagine Smith returning with the Jets after what happened in 2015 — his jaw was broken in a locker-room fight with a teammate — but the NFL is moving in a strange way. Smith is owed $18 million by the Raiders, so that’s the minimum they can get for the veteran.

As for Murray and Tagovailoa, they are both 28 years old and have started 87 and 76 games, respectively. Tagovailoa has a 4,000-yard passing season on his resume (2023) and Murray has topped 3,700 yards in four different seasons. The Jets are expected to have some interest in both.

Now for the downside: They both lost their jobs last season, both have durability questions (especially Tagovailoa, with his concussion history) and both are being paid huge amounts of money to not play for the teams that drafted them.

Murray is owed $36.8 million Arizona Cardinals$54 million by Tagovailoa miami dolphins. What does that tell you?

There is also the issue of climate. Tagovailoa is 0-5 when kickoff temperature is 40 degrees or below; Murray is 1-1. Those November/December games at MetLife Stadium could be bad.

The personnel executive said, citing leadership concerns with the former No. 1 overall pick, “I wish you could bottle up Tua’s character and put it in Murray’s body.”

As stated, the executive believes the Jets should sign Murray because “you can win with him. There’s still enough talent there.”

The thing is, the Vikings might be his favorite team. According to the executive, Tagovailoa’s injury history makes him too risky.

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may be available by trade

Jacoby Brissett, jarrett stidham, mac jones, Tanner McKee, spencer rattler, tyson bagant, Will Lewis, Davis Mills, andy dalton, derek carr

A long list of current backups, huh? This reflects the uncertainty surrounding the status of the Jets.

Jones probably has the most leverage of this group, but san francisco 49ers He has said that he has no interest in doing business with him. If they did, they would likely be at least a second-round pick. Compensation for the remaining options will not be nearly as much.

Brissett makes sense as he started a full season for Reich (Colts, 2019) and his future with the Cardinals appears to be uncertain. His opening record is only 20-45, but he has played the ball well at times. After replacing Murray in Week 6, he finished first in completions, second in passing yards, and third (tied) in passing touchdowns the rest of the season. Maybe he could be considered for a third-day draft pick. Brissett is close to Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, who is close to Glenn. Connect the dots.

The 34-year-old Carr, who has talked about retiring, enjoyed some of his best years when Musgraves was his offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders. But there are big questions: What is the condition of his right shoulder, which was so badly injured in 2024 that he was forced to retire? How will he play after a full year of inactivity? New Orleans Saints He still has his rights.

Lewis, who had season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder last July, and McKee have one year remaining on their rookie contracts. McKee performed well in two meaningless, late-season starts, increasing the Eagles’ asking price.

Dalton, 38, who played for Reach in 2023 carolina panthersThere may be a fallback option for a backup role.

No matter how you look at it, this is not an ideal situation for the Jets.

“There’s no panacea out there,” the personnel executive said. “They have to get lucky.”