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

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Joe Namath played his last game with the New York Jets exactly 50 years ago. Since then, the organization has experienced varying degrees of quarterback instability.

But perhaps nothing compares to the present.

The Jets are caught in the post-Aaron Rodgers/pre-(insert mysterious name) era, which saw three quarterbacks start at least four games each last season – tied for the most by any team in a single season in NFL history.

They could have a new group of quarterbacks in 2026, and seats at the table should start filling up after free agent negotiations begin Monday (noon ET). The trade period is ongoing, 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 quarterback (or two), saving the long term for next month’s draft — or perhaps next year’s draft.

Some fans want them to go for it in 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.

They may not survive a “March for Arch,” so it’s imperative that they pick the right veteran from a group of mediocre options and decide whether Ty Simpson — widely considered the best quarterback in the draft not named Fernando Mendoza — is worth New York’s second (16th overall) or third (33rd) pick.

It’s no exaggeration to say that these rulings will impact the franchise for several years to come. What makes it even more difficult 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 the Black Hole,” said one longtime personnel manager.

What’s unique about this year’s veteran market is that a handful of long-time starters are expected to fall victim to the salary cap and will be available for the minimum salary ($1.3 million) because they still owe massive guarantees from their soon-to-be former teams. Ah, yes, the beauty of offset language in contracts.

Short of signing Malik Willis, an unrestricted free agent who is 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 Justin Fields $10 million guaranteed, which will leave a $22 million charge in the likely event of his release.

So the apparent plan is to find a veteran placeholder and reevaluate in 2027, when they can use their trove of draft picks (first three rounds) to position themselves for a quarterback.

“If I had five first-round picks in the next two years, I wouldn’t be in a rush to do it. [draft] “I think this year they just need those pillars, those blue-chip players that they need to fill out the roster that they have right now.”

Reid thinks New York, with four picks in the top 44, should fill needs beyond quarterback and “prepare to drop a young quarterback into the situation in 2027.”

Mougey said he and Glenn talk daily with offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, both newly hired, about the quarterback plan. The plan must be nuanced because it is a challenge on several levels. You’re talking about free agents, players that could be cut, and players that could be traded.

“I feel like there are some good options,” Mougey said.

Let’s see who might be available for the Jets:

Free agents

Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota, Gardner Minshew, Willis

This is not a very attractive group. Willis is the star attraction as he played well in his appearance for the Green Bay Packers – 46 losses that will translate into life-changing wealth. After handing out $30 million in guarantees last year for Fields, which fell through, the Jets may want to avoid betting big on an unknown two years in a row.

Wentz, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery after a 2-3 record as a starter for the Minnesota Vikings, is on the list because of his experience with Reich — two years with the Philadelphia Eagles and one year with the Indianapolis Colts. Wentz is 33 and has gone from MVP candidate (2017) to NFL journeyman, but he played his best ball with Reich alongside him and wouldn’t cost that much. This makes him the most likely preference of this group.

Cap reductions reported

Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins

Smith, who struggled with the Jets from 2013 to 2016, reinvented himself with the Seattle Seahawks. His career took a nosedive last season with the Las Vegas Raiders – a league-leading 17 interceptions. The Jets had high marks for Smith, now 35, last offseason when the Seahawks made him available in a trade. So they seem ready to blame last season on a dysfunctional situation in Las Vegas.

It’s hard to imagine Smith back with the Jets after what happened in 2015 — his jaw was fractured in a locker room fight with a teammate — but the NFL moves in strange ways. The Raiders owe Smith $18 million, so he can be had for the veteran minimum.

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 should have some interest in both.

Now for the downsides: They both lost their jobs last season, both have durability issues (especially Tagovailoa, with his concussion history), and both are getting huge amounts of money for not playing for the teams that drafted them.

The Arizona Cardinals owe Murray $36.8 million and the Miami Dolphins owe Tagovailoa $54 million. What does that tell you?

There is also the question of climate. Tagovailoa is 0-5 when the kickoff temperature is 40 degrees or less; Murray is 1-1. Those November/December games at MetLife Stadium can get nasty.

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

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

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

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Could be available by exchange

Jacoby Brissett, Jarrett Stidham, Mac Jones, Tanner McKee, Spencer Rattler, Tyson Bagent, Will Levis, Davis Mills, Andy Dalton, Derek Carr

Quite a long list of current saves, huh? This speaks to the uncertainty surrounding the Jets situation.

Jones probably has the most potential of this group, but the San Francisco 49ers have said they are not interested in trading him. If they did, it would probably take at least a second-round pick. The compensation for the rest of the options would not be as high.

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

Carr, 34, who has talked about not retiring, had some of his best years when Musgrave was his offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders. But big questions arise: what is the state of his right shoulder, so seriously injured in 2024 that it forced him to retire? How would he perform after a full year of inactivity? The New Orleans Saints still have his rights.

Levis, who underwent season-ending surgery on his pitching shoulder last July, and McKee have one year remaining on their rookie contracts. McKee played well in two insignificant starts late in the season, increasing the Eagles’ asking price.

Dalton, 38, who played for Reich with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, could 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 is no panacea,” the personnel manager said. “They’ll have to be lucky.”