After a brutal 3-14 finish to the 2025 season, it looked like the New York Jets were headed into the 2026 NFL Draft with one goal: find their quarterback of the future. But that plan took a hit when Oregon’s Dante Moore-widely projected as a top QB prospect-announced he’s staying in college for another year. That decision reshuffles the deck for a Jets team that’s still very much in need of a long-term solution under center.
Let’s be clear: the Jets' quarterback situation is still far from settled. Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal last March, was benched during the season.
Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook also saw time, but neither looks like a viable long-term answer. The Jets have talent elsewhere on the roster, but without a steady hand at quarterback, it’s tough to see them making real progress.
That’s where Kyler Murray enters the conversation.
NFL analyst Aaron Schatz is predicting the Jets will make a bold move and trade for the Arizona Cardinals quarterback. It’s a scenario that makes more sense than you might think at first glance.
Murray’s fit in New York could actually be a smooth one, especially when you look at how the Jets ran their offense last year. They used shotgun or pistol formations on the eighth-most plays in the league in 2025-exactly the kind of setup where Murray thrives.
Murray’s skill set has always been unique-his quick release, mobility, and ability to make plays outside the pocket can be electric when he’s healthy. But health has been the big question mark.
He was shut down after just five games in 2025 due to a foot injury, and he’s now missed significant time in three of the last four seasons. That injury history is a real concern, and it’s likely to drive down his trade value.
That’s important for a team like the Jets. With Murray carrying a hefty contract, the asking price in terms of draft capital might not be all that steep. For a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels at quarterback for years, it could be a calculated risk worth taking.
There’s no question that Murray comes with baggage-durability concerns, a massive contract, and questions about leadership have followed him since his days in Arizona. But there’s also no denying the upside.
When he’s locked in, Murray can be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. And for a Jets team desperate for a spark, that kind of upside is hard to ignore.
The Jets have to make a move. With the draft board shifting and no clear-cut rookie QB option falling into their lap, a trade might be their best shot at getting back on track. If they believe in their system-and if they believe they can keep Murray on the field-this could be the kind of gamble that changes the direction of the franchise.
It’s not a sure thing. But for the Jets, who’ve been stuck in quarterback purgatory for far too long, it might be exactly the kind of swing they need to take.