The New York Jets are once again staring down the barrel of a quarterback conundrum. After the Justin Fields experiment fizzled out in 2025, the pressure is on new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn to find a reliable answer under center. And with a thin 2026 draft class offering few sure things at the position, the Jets may be forced to look toward the veteran market to steady the ship.
One name to keep an eye on? Derek Carr.
Yes, that Derek Carr - the former Raiders and Saints quarterback who stepped away from the game, but is now reportedly considering a return. According to national reports, Carr is open to coming back if the right coaching staff is in place. And wouldn’t you know it - the Jets just made a hire that could fit that bill.
New quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave has a strong history with Carr. He was Carr’s offensive coordinator during the quarterback’s second and third seasons in the league (2015-16), a stretch that marked the most significant leap in Carr’s development.
Under Musgrave’s guidance, Carr posted a career-high 32 touchdown passes in 2015 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. That season is still widely regarded as one of the best of his career - and it was no coincidence that Musgrave was calling the plays.
Carr has always spoken highly of Musgrave, and that kind of trust matters, especially for a veteran contemplating a comeback. The Jets, meanwhile, are in a spot where they can’t afford to miss. They need a stabilizing presence in the quarterback room - someone who can manage the offense, command the locker room, and give the team a fighting chance in a competitive AFC East.
Other veteran options with ties to the staff could also be in play. New offensive coordinator Frank Reich has past connections with both Kirk Cousins and Jacoby Brissett, two quarterbacks who might be available this offseason. But Carr’s name carries a different kind of intrigue, especially with Musgrave now in the building.
There’s no guarantee Carr comes back, and even less certainty about where he’d land if he does. But if he’s serious about returning for the right situation, and if that situation includes a familiar face like Musgrave, the Jets could find themselves in a very interesting position.
For a franchise that’s been searching for quarterback stability for what feels like decades, a reunion between Carr and Musgrave could offer something the Jets haven’t had in a long time: a proven veteran with a track record of success - and a coach who knows how to get the best out of him.