After two seasons, the Aaron Rodgers expertise is coming to an finish.
Gang Inexperienced is anticipated to half methods with Rodgers, in line with a number of reviews.
With Rodgers not below middle, the Jets shall be on a quest to search out their subsequent quarterback this offseason. New coach Aaron Glenn already is aware of what he desires in a quarterback.
“A winner,” Glenn stated following his introductory press convention final month. “Mental and physical toughness.”
Though Glenn has particular attributes he seems to be for in a quarterback, the alternatives between free company and the draft are slim. However let’s take a look at the potential avenues the Jets may use to discover a quarterback.
IN-HOUSE OPTION: TYROD TAYLOR
The Jets’ high quarterback possibility may already be within the constructing. Tyrod Taylor was signed to a two-year contract final offseason to be Rodgers’ backup. Rodgers ended up enjoying all 17 video games, and Taylor solely performed in two video games, by which the Jets misplaced by a number of scores in opposition to the 49ers and Payments.
Taylor, 35, might be a strong possibility because the Jets bridge quarterback. He’s a 14-year veteran who performed in seven completely different organizations.
Though he has performed decently in his 58 profession begins, Taylor has been injury-prone and hasn’t began greater than six video games since he was the Payments’ beginning quarterback in 2017.
If the Jets go together with Taylor as their starter, they need to pair him with one other veteran and presumably a younger quarterback to groom in case he suffers an damage. Gang Inexperienced chosen Jordan Travis within the fifth spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, Travis missed final season after fracturing and dislocating his ankle whereas at Florida State in 2023.
IF RELEASED: KIRK COUSINS, DEREK CARR
Kirk Cousins might be an inexpensive possibility for the Jets. However that’s assuming the Falcons launch him earlier than the beginning of the brand new league yr.
Final offseason, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract regardless of his Achilles tear in 2023. However the veteran quarterback seemed like a shell of himself after passing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 14 video games.
The Falcons benched Cousins for rookie first-round choose Michael Penix Jr. for the season’s ultimate three video games. Though the Falcons have stated they might be comfy retaining Cousins as Penix’s backup, he can be the highest-paid backup quarterback within the NFL.
If Cousins, 36, is on the Falcons roster after March 16, he can be assured $10 million in 2026 along with the $27.5 million he’s scheduled to make subsequent season.
Assuming Atlanta involves its senses and releases Cousins, his subsequent staff would solely need to pay the veterans minimal, which is round $1.2 million.
Like Cousins, Derek Carr’s future with the Saints can be very a lot unsure. He missed seven video games in 2024 as a consequence of damage, together with the ultimate 4 video games due to fractures in his non-throwing hand.
The Saints are as a consequence of pay Carr $40 million subsequent yr, which might depend $51.45 million in opposition to the wage cap. He has already advised reporters he wouldn’t take a pay reduce to stay with the Saints, which may result in his launch.
New Orleans is projected to be over the wage cap once more this offseason, so the staff might want to launch gamers and restructure contracts. Final season, in 10 video games, Carr completed with 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
FREE AGENT OPTIONS: JUSTIN FIELDS OR RUSSELL WILSON
The present free-agent choices aren’t very interesting. One of the best free agent possibility might be Justin Fields, the Steelers’ backup final season.
Fields, 25, started the yr as Pittsburgh’s beginning quarterback after buying him from the Bears. Russell Wilson, who was initially named Steelers beginning quarterback, missed the primary six video games as a consequence of a calf damage.
Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 file earlier than Wilson was inserted as beginning quarterback for the ultimate 11 video games. The Steelers made the playoffs however misplaced 5 straight video games to finish the season with Wilson below middle.
If the Steelers let Fields and/or Wilson stroll, the Jets may doubtlessly goal one in all them in free company.
THE 2025 NFL DRAFT
Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are anticipated to be off the draft board by the point the Jets choose seventh in April’s draft. The 2025 NFL Draft has an abundance of expertise, however not on the quarterback place.
A yr after six quarterbacks had been taken with the primary 12 picks, solely two may go in Spherical 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. That would depart the Jets to pick out a developmental challenge, corresponding to Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, or Ohio State’s Will Howard, in rounds 2 or 3 of the draft.
