Bill Musgrave is heading back to the AFC, and this time, he’s taking on one of the NFL’s most unpredictable quarterback situations. The longtime offensive coach is reportedly joining the New York Jets as their new quarterbacks coach, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. It’s a notable move for a franchise that, once again, finds itself searching for stability under center.
Musgrave brings with him nearly three decades of NFL coaching experience, including recent stints with the Cleveland Browns, where he served as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the last three seasons. Before that, he’s logged time with a who's who of NFL franchises - from the Vikings to the Raiders, Panthers, Eagles, Jaguars, Falcons, Broncos, and Commanders. The man’s been around, and he’s seen just about every flavor of quarterback development - and dysfunction - the league has to offer.
Now, he steps into a Jets organization that’s in the midst of another rebuild, particularly at the quarterback position. As of now, the only signal-callers under contract for 2026 are Bailey Zappe, Hendon Hooker, and Brady Cook - a trio with limited starting experience and even more questions than answers. Last year’s starters, Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, are both set to hit free agency, and there’s no guarantee either returns to Florham Park.
This is where Musgrave’s experience becomes crucial. He’s been in the trenches with young quarterbacks before - perhaps most notably during his time with the Minnesota Vikings from 2011 to 2013, when he was tasked with developing former first-round pick Christian Ponder. That era didn’t exactly produce long-term success, but it did include one unforgettable highlight: Musgrave was calling the plays during Adrian Peterson’s MVP season in 2012, when the running back nearly broke the single-season rushing record.
Still, Musgrave’s offenses in Minnesota never cracked the top 13 in scoring, and he now joins a Jets staff that’s been almost entirely overhauled following a 3-win season in 2025. The front office has cap flexibility - over $83 million projected in space - but attracting a top-tier quarterback to a team in transition is easier said than done. Overpaying may be the only route, and even that might not be enough to lure a true difference-maker.
For Musgrave, the job is clear: help mold whoever ends up in that quarterback room into a reliable starter - or at least a functional one - in a league that offers little patience for prolonged development. Whether it’s a veteran free agent, a trade acquisition, or one of the young arms already on the roster, the Jets need someone to take control of the offense. And Musgrave’s task is to help make that happen.
It’s a tall order, but if there’s one thing Musgrave brings to the table, it’s experience. The Jets need stability.
They need a plan. And now, they’ve got a coach who’s been through the fire before.
Whether that’s enough to finally solve their quarterback puzzle remains to be seen.