Jets predicted to replace Justin Fields with up-and-coming quarterback in 2026

Charlie Baduini

Jets predicted to replace Justin Fields with up-and-coming quarterback in 2026 image

© Robert Deutsch

The New York Jets sit at 0-6, the only winless team remaining in the NFL, and in the driver's seat for the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Despite a roster littered with holes, it's hard not to see that Justin Fields is not the quarterback of the future in New York, and the Jets should be prepping themselves to select a quarterback in next April's draft.

With several collegiate signal-callers projected to shoot up draft boards as the college and professional season progresses, there's one quarterback out there who may have already established himself as the best.

Mock draft has Jets select Indiana's Fernando Mendoza

In a recent mock draft from CBS Sports, Josh Edwards has the Jets selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

"There may not be a clear-cut favorite to be the No. 1 overall selection in next April's draft, but Fernando Mendoza is a qualified candidate. He plays with a ton of poise and has proven capable of making any throw on the football field," wrote Edwards.

Mendoza spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Cal before transferring to Indiana for the 2025 season.

The Hoosier has been setting the college world on fire, while Indiana has catapulted up to No. 3 in the College Football Rankings.

Through six games, Mendoza has completed 71.2% of his passes for 1423 yards, along with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions.

If he can carry this success over to the NFL level, the Jets may have their first franchise quarterback since the days of Joe Namath.

More Jets news:

Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini is a freelance NBA writer with The Sporting News. He is a content editor and writer with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in live broadcasting and print media.