The New York Jets, after the disastrous $40 million experiment with Justin Fields, are looking to land a new quarterback.
While they lost out on Fernando Mendoza, thanks to the QB-needy Las Vegas Raiders owning the first-overall pick, the Jets could turn to three trade options.
The Jets are predicted by an AFC executive to trade for a veteran quarterback from one of three teams: the Raiders, Miami Dolphins, or Arizona Cardinals. While they aren't the best options, it might be the only choice the Jets get this offseason.
Jets predicted to trade for vet QB from Cardinals, Raiders, or Dolphins
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler highlighted the three quarterbacks this AFC executive is talking about. Those three are Geno Smith of the Raiders, Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins, and Kyler Murray of the Cardinals.
"Do the Jets get one of those three - that's really the question I have," an AFC executive said. "They could go young and load up for the 2027 draft of quarterbacks, but the head coach (Aaron Glenn) probably needs to win, so he might need more of a reliable option."
Going after one of these three veteran quarterbacks would make sense from a win-now perspective, but considering that the Jets are much, much more than just a quarterback away from being a contender, it might not make the most sense to splurge on a vet QB.
Of these three, Smith will cost the least from both a trade return and contract perspective. He's 35 years old and will cost roughly half of what Murray costs ($18.5 million for Smith compared to $37 million for Murray).
More: Aaron Glenn, Jets facing brutal reality on future of franchise amid 2025 disaster
Tagovailoa doesn't make much sense for the Jets, especially since the Dolphins are in the AFC East alongside the Jets. But if the Jets can take on Tagovailoa and get a draft pick in return, it might not be the worst option.
Murray will likely cost the most in a trade, as there's still some optimism with his game. He won't be cheap, though he might give the Jets their best chance of winning in 2026.
But whichever quarterback the Jets and Aaron Glenn go with, they're predicted by this AFC executive to not settle for a rookie or young QB for 2026, instead going with one of Smith, Murray, or Tagovailoa.
It's far from an ideal situation, but for the Jets, finding a new quarterback, even if it's one of these three veterans, is just for 2026.
More Jets news:
- Jets make NFL history as first team to end season without an interception
- The Jets should dump Aaron Glenn, hire former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski
- We now know where New York Jets' first-round pick will land in 2026 NFL draft
- Jets' struggles have a writer from The Ringer wishing Breece Hall leaves in free agency
- Jets give team MVP to special teamer who was cut in Week 4