Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but the NFL offseason is about to kick off and the New York Jets will be in search of a quarterback. Yes, for what feels like the 100th consecutive offseason, quarterback sits atop the Jets list of needs.
This time around, with an extraordinarily thin quarterback market, the Jets will essentially have two choices at quarterback. They can go with a proven veteran who has shown their ceiling to be six or seven wins. Then there are the unproven QB’s who are young, who have flashed and may get better with increased opportunities.
And of course, there are a few names that Jets reportedly have, or at least should, rule out entirely.
Sam Howell:
Howell has started just 17 career games, but has had some impressive outings. In seven of his 17 starts he has thrown for at least 290 yards while racking up 300 yards on the ground. This isn’t to say the Jets should look to add Howell and hand him a starting job, but he should certainly be an option to come in and compete.
Will Levis:
Chosen with the first pick in round 2 (33rd overall) in the 2023 draft, Levis is now nailed to the bench in Tennessee with Cam Ward holding the starting job. There are plenty of questions surrounding Levis who has gone 5-16 as a starter thus far. But with an actual QB guru in the building in Frank Reich, Levis may be worth bringing in for a look.
Tyson Bagent:
Bagent stood out at the 2023 senior bowl and got on the field as a rookie for the Bears, going 2-2 and showing excellent poise. He’s unlikely to become a high level starter, but getting a look at him would bring more value than getting a look at many of the longer tenured veterans being mentioned. Take for example….
Carson Wentz:
A former first-round pick and MVP candidate, Wentz’s best days are a distant memory. His familiarity with Frank Reich’s offense have led to some mentioning his name, but at this point in his career he’s a beaten up veteran who has a difficult time staying on the field and will likely win you no more than five or six games.
Jacoby Brissett:
Another veteran who has already played for Frank Reich, Brissett owns a career record of 20-45 and has never won more than seven games in a season and that was back in 2019. Another veteran who likely tops out at six wins and leaves you no better off next offseason than you are today.
Marcus Mariota:
Mariota won a career high nine games but that was the better part of a decade ago. He was last a starting QB back in 2022 when he went 5-8 which is about where his ceiling is. If the Jets can win five games with a dead end veteran, why not look in another direction.
Now there is another category of QB but these are true long shots for the Jets. There are a pair of veterans who will offer great bang for buck or production that could make you competitive, but there are issues.
Derek Carr:
There have been whispers that the Jets like Carr and believe he can be had if they want him badly enough. Problem is, as of right now he’s still retired. Should he opt to come to the Jets in the coming weeks though, that would give the Jets a proven veteran who has been a pro bowler and has some years left in him.
Kyler Murray:
There are a million reasons not to sigh Murray, but there’s one very good one why they should. Malik Willis may be the best free agent on the market, but Rich Cimini of ESPN New York says Gang Green won’t look to make a big splash. If Cimini is right, the next best QB on the market will be Murray, whose contract calls for him to make the veteran minimum in 2026. You won’t find better value anywhere.