Jets Face Crucial Quarterback Decisions Heading Into 2026 Offseason
The New York Jets enter the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers under center. While most teams are looking for a reliable starter, the Jets are staring down the possibility of needing to fill two - maybe even three - quarterback spots. Tyrod Taylor’s contract is expiring, Brady Cook’s future is still undecided, and the depth chart is as unsettled as it’s been in years.
Let’s start with Taylor. By all accounts, the Jets are open to bringing the veteran back in a similar role to the one he held last season - a steady hand who can step in when needed, mentor younger players, and keep the offense on track in a pinch.
Taylor started four games in 2025, including orchestrating a win over the Falcons and nearly pulling off a comeback against the Buccaneers. He was efficient, composed, and showed he could still manage an NFL offense when called upon.
But here’s the catch: keeping Taylor won’t come cheap. There’s expected to be a market for the 36-year-old, and the Jets may need to overpay to retain him.
He’s coming off a two-year, $12 million deal that paid him like a top-tier backup - and his play, while limited, mostly justified that salary. According to efficiency metrics like EPA+CPOE, Taylor was the Jets’ most effective quarterback in 2025, though that’s more a reflection of the team’s overall quarterback struggles than a glowing endorsement.
Still, Taylor’s numbers paint a clear picture. In 2025, he ranked 34th out of 49 qualified quarterbacks in EPA+CPOE - firmly in the “high-end backup” tier.
Over the past five seasons, he’s 35th out of 58 quarterbacks with at least 600 dropbacks in that same metric. In short, he’s a veteran who can hold the fort, but he’s not moving the needle as a long-term solution.
And then there’s the durability issue. Taylor has missed 16 games over the last five seasons due to injury, including each of the last three times he’s been asked to carry a heavier load.
At 37 years old this August, it’s tough to imagine those injury concerns suddenly disappearing. If anything, the risk only increases with age.
That’s what makes the decision so tricky for the Jets. There’s a version of their offseason plan where Taylor returns as the backup - maybe even as a bridge starter if they draft a rookie and want to ease him in. But banking on Taylor to stay healthy and productive for a full season is a gamble, and not one the Jets can afford to lose again.
This is a team that needs clarity at the game’s most important position. Whether they go after a veteran starter, invest in the draft, or try to piece things together with a mix of experience and youth, the quarterback room is due for a reset. Taylor could be part of that equation - but only if the price and the role make sense.
One thing’s clear: the Jets can’t afford to get this offseason wrong. The quarterback decisions they make in the coming months will shape the trajectory of the franchise in 2026 and beyond.