The New York Jets are once again heading into an offseason with a familiar question looming large: Who’s going to be under center next season?
It’s a storyline that’s become all too common for Gang Green over the past decade and a half. And while the team has tried just about every approach-from drafting high-upside rookies to signing veteran stopgaps-the quarterback carousel keeps spinning.
This offseason, the Jets are expected to explore every possible avenue: the trade market, free agency, and the 2026 NFL Draft. But even if they take a swing on a rookie, there’s little doubt they’ll need a veteran presence to at least start the season-or potentially carry the load for all 17 games if the rookie isn’t ready.
So who’s in the mix?
Several names are already circulating. Mac Jones, who’s likely on his way out of San Francisco, is one.
Kirk Cousins, coming off his stint in Atlanta, is another. And then there’s the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback room, which includes both Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett.
All four bring different skill sets, different ceilings, and different levels of risk.
But one name in particular is drawing some internal NFL chatter-Kyler Murray. And not all of it is positive.
According to a report from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, a current Cardinals player had a strong warning for the Jets when it comes to pursuing Murray. On Cimini’s Flight Deck podcast, he shared a conversation he had with one of Murray’s former teammates, who didn’t mince words when asked about the Jets potentially targeting the former No. 1 overall pick.
“I said, ‘You know the Jets might be going after Kyler in a month or two,’” Cimini recalled. “He goes, ‘No, no, no, the Jets don’t want to do that. You don’t want Kyler Murray as your quarterback.’”
That kind of statement from someone inside Murray’s own locker room is hard to ignore. It raises questions-not just about his on-field performance, but about how he’s perceived by those around him. And in a league where locker room chemistry and leadership matter just as much as arm strength and athleticism, that’s a red flag.
Let’s be clear: Murray is a rare talent. He’s got a cannon for an arm, elite mobility, and a Heisman Trophy on his résumé.
He was drafted first overall for a reason. Physically, there’s no doubt he can make plays that few quarterbacks in the league can.
But the issue, as it’s been throughout his seven-year career, is putting it all together consistently-and staying on the field.
Durability has been a recurring concern. This past season, Murray appeared in just five games before going down again.
Whether it was due to injury or a quiet benching remains unclear, but the bottom line is that he’s suited up for 87 of a possible 117 regular-season games in his career. That kind of availability-or lack thereof-is tough to build a season around.
And then there’s the intangibles. Teams want a quarterback who commands the huddle, leads by example, and elevates the players around him.
Fair or not, questions about Murray’s leadership and passion for the game have followed him since his early years in the league. Whether those concerns are overblown or not, they’re clearly still part of the conversation-and that matters when a team like the Jets is considering making a major investment.
If the Jets are looking to make a splash, Murray’s name is certainly big enough to turn heads. But splashy doesn’t always mean smart.
With Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich now steering the ship in New York, any quarterback move they make will be tied directly to their futures. That means character, commitment, and consistency will be just as important as highlight-reel throws.
The Jets have options. And while Murray might be one of the most talented quarterbacks potentially available, talent alone won’t be enough to win over a front office that’s already been burned too many times before.