The Jets are still hunting for a real answer under center, and in 2026 that search is somehow still going on. Geno Smith is slated to open the year as the bridge starter while New York waits to see what the 2027 quarterback class looks like, but there’s obvious risk in that plan. Smith was horrendous for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, and if he keeps sliding in New York, Aaron Glenn may need a backup plan fast just to keep the season from getting away from him.
That’s where one of the wildest comeback ideas in the NFL picture comes in: Andrew Luck.
NFL.com recently ran through the league’s craziest possible player returns for 2026, and Jeremy Bergman landed on the former No. 1 overall pick as a fit with the Jets. The hook is simple and bizarre in equal measure - Luck, now the general manager of Stanford football, reconnecting with former Colts head coach Frank Reich in New York.
"Currently the general manager of Stanford football, Luck is just 36 years old, younger than three starting QBs in the NFL in 2026 (Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins). Luck is set up pretty nice now that he's no longer getting walloped by pass rushers, but if he ever wished to live to his generational potential, there's still time. Though his old gig is currently occupied by Danny Dimes, Luck can reunite with former Colts boss Frank Reich in New York as a Geno Smith escape hatch and potential bridge."
Jeremy Bergman
Luck has been retired since the 2019 preseason, when he shocked the league by walking away. Since then, there have been plenty of rumors and reports about the Colts and other teams trying to coax him back, but nothing has changed that reality. The odds of an actual comeback still look tiny.
Still, the idea is easy to understand. At 36, Luck would instantly be the most talented quarterback the Jets have had since Joe Willie Namath.
In his last season, he threw for 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, and helped win 10 games. For a Jets team searching for stability, that kind of production would be franchise-altering.
It remains an alternate-universe fantasy more than a real possibility. But if New York is looking for an emergency answer, Luck is the kind of name that makes people stop and imagine what might have been.
In Other News...
Broncos Uniform Overhaul Is Getting The NFL Respect Fans Wanted
When the Broncos rolled out the Mile High Collection for 2024, it was clear the franchise wanted the new look to do more than just freshen up the closet. The mix of the 77 Throwbacks and the Midnight Navy set was built to lean into Denver and Colorado identity, and the early reaction around the league has backed up the idea that this was more than a cosmetic tweak.
Sports Illustrateds Mike Kadlick slotted Denver 10th in his ranking of all 32 NFL teams uniform combinations, a solid sign that the overhaul is getting the respect fans were hoping for. The Broncos landed behind a handful of other clubs, with the Chargers at No. 1 and several familiar rivals grouped around them, which only adds a little extra edge as the team moves toward training camp and gets ready to show the new threads on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Three Broncos Backups Could Quietly Decide Denver's 2026 Ceiling
The Broncos ceiling in 2026 may have as much to do with the back end of the roster as the names at the top of it. Malcolm Roach has already shown he can help on the defensive line, and with John Franklin-Myers gone in free agency, there is a path for his workload to matter more if Denver leans on his run defense and pass rush production. It is the kind of quiet swing factor that rarely gets the spotlight in July but can shape how sturdy a defense looks by the time the season starts.
Inside linebacker is murkier, with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad ahead of a spot that is still very much up for grabs. The Broncos also have a rookie tight end in Justin Joly who has a realistic chance to stick and could fit as a receiving option in the TE3 conversation, which adds another layer to a roster battle worth watching. If Denver gets useful answers from those backup jobs, the 2026 roster starts looking a lot deeper and a lot more complete. [Read more 🡒]
Jaleel McLaughlin Sends Clear Message As Broncos Role Remains Unsettled
Jaleel McLaughlin has spent much of his Broncos tenure fighting for touches, but his stance on staying in Denver has been clear. Even with his playing time limited, the running back has made it plain that he wants to keep building here, drawn to the team, the city and the chance to win with the Broncos rather than look elsewhere for a bigger role.
That kind of patience matters in a backfield that still feels unsettled, where every rep can shape the pecking order. McLaughlins commitment gives Denver a little stability, even if his path to a larger workload remains unclear, and it fits the profile of a player willing to wait out the depth chart as long as the long-term payoff stays in view. [Read more 🡒]