As the 2026 NFL offseason kicks into gear, the New York Jets find themselves at a familiar crossroads - searching for answers at quarterback. With Aaron Rodgers nearing the twilight of his career and the Justin Fields experiment looking more like a misfire than a long-term solution, the Jets' front office has made it clear: every option is on the table.
General manager Darren Mougey didn’t mince words. He said the team will “exhaust all options” in pursuit of stability under center.
That could mean diving into the free agent pool, swinging a trade, or even taking another swing in the draft. But if you ask Phil Simms - the two-time Super Bowl champ and longtime New York football voice - there’s one name that stands out in this year’s free agent class: Malik Willis.
“If the Jets went out and got Malik Willis, that’s a home run,” Simms said during a recent appearance on ESPN New York’s Bart & Carlin. “He’ll fit the coaching staff and what they’ll probably do on the offensive side.”
It’s a bold endorsement for a quarterback whose NFL journey has been anything but straightforward.
Willis, now 26, came into the league with high expectations after being drafted in the third round by the Tennessee Titans in 2022. But his early years in Nashville were rocky.
In three rookie starts, he completed just over 50% of his passes for 276 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions - numbers that translated to a passer rating of 42.8. That’s not just a tough start; it’s the kind of performance that can derail a young QB’s career before it ever gets going.
Things didn’t improve much in his second season, and the Titans eventually cut ties, shipping him to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft. At the time, it looked like a quiet move - one of those low-risk, low-reward transactions that rarely make waves. But it’s in Green Bay where Willis has started to flip the narrative.
Since joining the Packers, Willis has appeared in 11 games and started three. And while the sample size is still relatively small, the numbers are eye-catching.
He’s completed 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. That’s not just improvement - it’s a dramatic turnaround.
Add in 261 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, and you’re looking at a dual-threat quarterback who’s showing real signs of growth and confidence.
Of course, that kind of resurgence doesn’t come cheap. Spotrac estimates Willis’ market value at $35 million per year, projecting a two-year deal in the neighborhood of $70 million. That’s a hefty price tag for a player who, despite recent flashes, still has limited starting experience.
And that’s where the Jets have to be careful.
They’re already on the hook for $35 million to Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and if they do move on from Justin Fields after a disappointing 2025 campaign, they’d still be absorbing at least $22 million in dead cap. That’s a lot of money tied up in quarterbacks - especially when none of them are guaranteed to be the long-term answer.
So while Willis is arguably the most intriguing name in this year’s free agent class, his price tag might not align with what the Jets need right now. They’re likely in the market for a bridge quarterback - someone who can step in and stabilize the offense without blowing up the budget. Willis, at $35 million per year, doesn’t exactly fit that mold.
There’s also the question of scheme fit. While Simms believes Willis would mesh well with the Jets’ coaching staff, a deeper look at offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s historical tendencies suggests otherwise.
Reich has typically leaned on quarterbacks who can operate from the pocket, process quickly, and work within a structured system. Willis, for all his athleticism and recent progress, is still at his best when improvising and making plays outside the pocket.
That’s not to say he couldn’t adapt - just that it might not be the most natural pairing, especially for a team trying to maximize every snap in what could be Rodgers’ final year.
The Jets have tough decisions ahead. The quarterback carousel is spinning once again in Florham Park, and while Malik Willis is a name worth watching, the team’s financial constraints and schematic preferences could push them in a different direction.
One thing is certain: with Rodgers’ future uncertain and Fields likely on his way out, the Jets can’t afford to miss on their next move. Whether it’s a veteran stopgap, a young prospect, or a surprise trade, the 2026 season will be defined by who lines up under center - and how well that player can finally bring some stability to a franchise that’s been chasing it for far too long.