This offseason is going to be a very busy one for the New York Jets. With plenty of draft capital, money to spend, and needs all across the roster, the Jets should be active from start to finish.
While the Jets will be adding to their defense, wide receiver room, and running back, the most important position to address is the quarterback room. But with Fernando Mendoza likely to go first overall, the Jets will need to get creative.
Rich Cimini of ESPN revealed what the Jets might do this offseason, which could entail the team replacing Justin Fields with two quarterbacks, one in the NFL Draft and one in free agency.
Jets expected to replace Justin Fields with 2 QBs
"Chances are, the Jets will have an all-encompassing plan: acquire a veteran or two (perhaps Malik Willis or Kirk Cousins), release Justin Fields, and draft a quarterback with the No. 16 or No. 33 pick."
The Jets have a tall task at hand in finding the right quarterback this offseason, and instead of forcing the envelope at second overall, Cimini is expecting the Jets to take one at 16th or 33rd overall, and pair him with a free-agent quarterback.
Kirk Cousins or Malik Willis would make some sense, and while they might draw interest elsewhere, the Jets have the money and a starting job at the ready.
A veteran alone won't be all the Jets do at quarterback; they could also pair such a vet with a rookie in the first 33 picks of the draft. Someone like Alabama's Ty Simpson or Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss would make some sense.
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While it's far from an ideal situation to be in, the Jets could find a solid quarterback this offseason with this two-part strategy.
Cousins might not be the long-term answer, but he could give the Jets competent QB play for a year or two as they try to find a young quarterback for the future.
Willis would be an interesting option as well, as he's shown some promise with the Green Bay Packers, and as a free agent, would only cost the Jets money to bring him in. He makes a lot more sense than someone like Kyler Murray.
But, based on this report from Cimini, the Jets' plan at quarterback won't be a simple one. It will entail the team adding two QBs, one in free agency and one in the NFL Draft, to help replace Fields after the $40 million experiment failed in 2025.
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