The Aaron Rodgers era in New York has come to an unofficial end, and the Jets’ new leadership will now be tasked with rebuilding the quarterbacks room. The organization isn’t truly positioned to rebuild around a rookie signal-caller, and there aren’t expected to be any franchise-altering veterans available this offseason.
[RELATED: Jets To Move On From Aaron Rodgers]
As a result, the front office may toe the line between both approaches. ESPN’s Rich Cimini expects the Jets to add both a veteran quarterback and a rookie quarterback.
The upcoming veteran options are uninspiring, but free agency should still provide the Jets with plenty of options for a bridge QB. Cimini says a Sam Darnold reunion isn’t a realistic possibility, but the organization could turn to the likes of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or Daniel Jones to help keep the seat warm. Cimini also mentions Kirk Cousins as a potential option, assuming the veteran is ultimately let go by the Falcons.
The team’s draft strategy is a bit more unpredictable. Armed with the seventh pick, the Jets will likely be out of range for top prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. While the front office could always make an aggressive move up the board, Cimini believes it’s more likely they target someone in the next tier of prospects. That type of move wouldn’t require a first-round pick, and there would be less urgency to push the rookie atop the depth chart.
As Cimini notes, new Jets general manager Darren Mougey isn’t completely unfamiliar with the Jets’ projected offseason. The executive last served as the Broncos assistant GM, and he was at the helm when Denver moved on from a high-price veteran QB in Russell Wilson. The Broncos ended up opting for a young signal caller in Bo Nix, although the rookie was paired with reclamation projects (like Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson) instead of clear-cut bridge QBs. Either way, Mougey is well positioned to handle the transition from Rodgers to the next Jets QB.
No way the Jets even consider Daniel Jones and no way Jones would want to head back to NY
Tyrod is under contract for cheap so just run it with him. Whoever they draft will take over by week 5 anyway
1. Jameis Winston
2. Justin Fields
3. Trade For Kyler Murray Or Carr
4. Russ Wilson
5. Mariota
Well, number three for sure ain’t happening. Kyler Murray? He’s due a ton of money over the next three years, which would negate the advantage a team has when their QB is on their rookie deal. Carr as well but to a lesser extent.
Although it IS the Jets, so the stupidest path is often the one they take.
Carr could easily fit on this roster and it certainly wouldn’t even be close to the stupidest path possible, given that the consensus seems to be that this is a bad QB class.
My guess is Carr ends up with Giants
Forgot To Put Stafford As Well
Winston should absolutely be option #1. I think I like this order, but I would shoehorn Daniel Jones in at #3.
The Jets need a long-term answer at QB and this year’s draft probably won’t provide it. If they want a shot at a top pick in 2026, they’ll probably go with someone likely to play passably enough but not win a lot of games. I would expect them to roll with Tyrod Taylor or sign someone like Jameis Winston, but not Russ Wilson or Kirk Cousins, who could get them a middling record with some leftover magic.
Then again, Jets gonna Jet.