The Jets could get an up-close look at a quarterback who might wind up on their radar in 2027 when they host Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for joint practice this week.
That matters because New York’s quarterback room beyond Geno Smith looks thin fast. Smith is the only starting-caliber veteran on the roster, and the depth behind him is Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook. If Smith gets hurt or repeats the poor play he showed last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jets would be in a tough spot.
That’s why 2027 is already easy to picture as a year when the Jets could be shopping for another veteran quarterback. Even if they use one of their three first-round picks on a quarterback, they would still likely want an experienced bridge option in place until a rookie is ready.
Mayfield fits that profile in a lot of ways, at least on paper. He’s the former No. 1 overall pick, and he’s in a contract standoff with Tampa Bay this offseason after the sides couldn’t find common ground. He is entering the final year of his deal, and unless the Buccaneers franchise tag him, he’s likely to test free agency in 2027.
Of course, if Smith plays well and stays healthy, this whole conversation changes. In that scenario, Smith would almost certainly be back on a new short-term deal in 2027 as the veteran mentor for a hypothetical rookie.
Still, if things go sideways, Mayfield would be one name to monitor. The problem, at least in ESPN’s Rich Cimini’s view, is the price.
On the Jets Collective podcast, Cimini was asked about the idea of New York pursuing Mayfield in free agency in 2027, and he didn’t sound sold.
"I think that would be a mistake for the Jets to do that; that is my own personal feeling. I know Jets fans want him, I don't think they would do something like that, I mean, he wants $50 million a year, he's not a $50 million a year quarterback."
That cost could be the real issue for New York. There figures to be a wider quarterback market by then, and the Jets will probably have other roster needs that deserve that kind of money more than a short-term fix at quarterback.
In Other News...
Aaron Glenn Addresses Frightening Jets Camp Medical Scare
Training camp has already had its share of heat, collisions and roster competition, but one frightening moment briefly shifted everything else out of focus. Cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was taken to the hospital by ambulance after collapsing on the sidelines, turning a routine practice day into a medical concern the Jets had to handle quickly and carefully.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said the teams medical staff responded immediately, and the priority now is Stiggers recovery. For a roster that is trying to build momentum in camp, incidents like this are a reminder that the biggest concern can suddenly have nothing to do with depth charts or schemes, only getting a player back on his feet. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Could Still Turn Two Roster Bubble Names Into Draft Value
Darren Mougey has already shown a willingness to squeeze value out of the edges of the roster, and that history is why the Jets are worth watching as cutdown day approaches. His track record includes dealing defensive tackles Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips, along with the trade of Derrick Nnadi, moves that suggest New York will keep listening if another team comes calling for a player it no longer views as essential.
Two names sitting near that bubble are Jamaal Pritchett and Andre Cisco, both of whom have become part of the preseason conversation for different reasons. Pritchett is trying to survive the numbers game after flashing last preseason, while Ciscos situation is shaped by a rocky 2025 season and the pectoral injury that complicated things before he re-signed, leaving the Jets with at least one more decision to make before the roster gets trimmed. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Avoided A Much Worse Outcome After Scary Practice Scene
A scary scene interrupted Thursdays joint practice with Tampa Bay when a Jets player had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and sent to a hospital after collapsing during the session. The episode immediately shifted the focus away from the days football work and toward the safety of a player who had to be stabilized before anyone could think about reps or game plans.
Aaron Glenn later offered the reassuring update that the player was conscious and receiving medical care, and the early read was that the situation was tied to dehydration rather than anything that happened on a football play. For a team looking to get through the week healthy, that was the kind of outcome the Jets could breathe a little easier about, even if the practice itself ended with an unsettling image. [Read more 🡒]