The New York Jets have one main goal this offseason: find a new franchise quarterback. It's far from a simple goal, but it's the biggest one for the Jets.
Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey took a swing on Justin Fields for $40 million, and it was a massive swing-and-a-miss. Now, they need to explore other QB's, whether it's in the 2026 NFL Draft, free agency, or the trade market.
But, regardless of where they find it, the Jets need a new quarterback. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that the Jets won't be just exploring new QB options. He expects they'll put a lot of effort and energy into finding this new franchise quarterback.
Jets expected to put a lot of effort into finding franchise QB
"With that ($40 million Fields miss) as the backdrop," Breer writes, "I'd expect a lot of effort and energy to be put into the position this offseason."
The Jets are in dire need of a new franchise quarterback, and with Fields being a major miss, at a lofty $40 million price tag, finding new options, especially cheap ones, will be key.
A rookie in the 2026 NFL Draft would be ideal, but unfortunately, the Jets are not able to land the top pick, and the Las Vegas Raiders, who are set to pick ahead of the Jets, could look to draft a quarterback.
After their own quarterback bust in Geno Smith, the Raiders are one of the top teams likely to consider a quarterback at the 2026 NFL Draft. The New York Giants aren't, but they, too, could wind up posing an obstacle for the Jets atop the NFL Draft.
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Fernando Mendoza is the clear best quarterback in this draft class, and with some uncertainty about what other college quarterbacks will declare for the draft, the Jets might be out of luck in the rookie class at the top of the NFL Draft.
They could look to free agency, and try for Malik Willis or Daniel Jones, or the trade market for Kyler Murray, or a one-year rental to explore QB options in 2027.
But, regardless of what happens, Jets fans should expect Mougey and Glenn to proactively address the quarterback room this offseason.
Change is coming for the Jets in the quarterback room, and the only question left is who will be the new starter and how they spend their resources this offseason.
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