This offseason is going to be a busy one for the New York Jets, as there are holes littered throughout the roster. While the defense needs some work, and more offensive firepower is needed, there's no more important position than quarterback.
The Jets went with Justin Fields at quarterback in 2025, and it didn't work. He signed a two-year, $40 million deal, and the experiment has failed. With Fernando Mendoza all but certainly going first over to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jets need to pivot to a new QB.
Amid such an NFL Draft future, ESPN's Rich Cimini is linking the Jets to a $180 million veteran who'd help stabilize the team in 2026 after Fields didn't pan out this past season.
Jets linked to $180M QB to replace Justin Fields
"Chances are, the Jets will have an all-encompassing plan," Cimini writes, "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."
With the Jets not likely to take a quarterback second overall, taking one later in the draft is not out of the question. But, in doing so, the Jets should also sign a veteran, and Cimini is linking Kirk Cousins to the Jets.
While Malik Willis might have the better upside, what the Jets need is stability, and Cousins, the 14-year veteran, provides that.
He's on a $180 million, four-year deal and will likely be released this offseason after renegotiating his contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
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If the Jets can add someone like Cousins, a veteran who could start in 2026 and mentor a rookie QB for a year, it would be the ideal situation for the Jets.
Taking Ty Simpson out of Alabama at either pick 16 or 33, and sitting him behind Cousins for some time, would be the best path forward for the Jets as a franchise.
They won't be contenders in 2026, so building for the future, while using Cousins as a developmental piece for a rookie quarterback, would make a ton of sense.
The four-time Pro Bowler will cost a bit this offseason, but for the Jets, with plenty of cap space, Cousins would be a quality addition to the roster.
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