The New York Jets are heading into the 2026 offseason with one of the most pressing questions in football: who’s going to be under center next season?
After a 3-14 campaign that saw a revolving door at quarterback - Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and rookie Brady Cook all took turns - the Jets are clearly in the market for a reset at the most important position on the field. None of the three managed to stake a serious claim as the long-term answer, and with a new head coach in Aaron Glenn looking to make an immediate impact, the front office is weighing its options between a veteran stopgap and a potential franchise QB in the draft.
According to league chatter, the Jets are eyeing three veteran quarterbacks as possible trade targets: Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), and Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders). All three come with their own set of pros and cons, but the underlying theme is clear - the Jets want stability, and they want it now.
An AFC executive put it bluntly: “They could go young and load up for the 2027 draft class, but the head coach probably needs to win, so he might need more of a reliable option.” That’s the tightrope the Jets are walking - balancing the long-term rebuild with the short-term pressure to compete.
The Jets are armed with two first-round picks, including the No. 2 and No. 16 selections, so they’re in prime position to draft a quarterback if they choose to go that route. With Oregon’s Dante Moore heading back to school and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza projected to go first overall to the Raiders, Alabama’s Ty Simpson could be the most realistic option for New York if they’re looking to invest in a rookie passer.
But even if the Jets draft a quarterback, they’ll need someone to hold the fort until the rookie is ready - and that’s where the veteran market comes into play.
Justin Fields is still under contract for 2026, along with Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook, but the sense around the league is that Fields could be released this offseason. If that happens, the Jets will be down to two unproven quarterbacks, neither of whom has shown enough to justify handing them the keys in Week 1.
Enter Geno Smith.
Smith, of course, is no stranger to New York. Drafted by the Jets in the second round back in 2013, he’s had a career full of twists and turns - from early struggles in New York, to a resurgence in Seattle, and now a tough season in Las Vegas.
In 2025, Smith posted a 2-13 record before being benched for the final two games, but his numbers tell a more nuanced story: 3,025 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 67.4% completion rate. Not exactly Pro Bowl material, but certainly serviceable - especially when compared to what the Jets trotted out last season.
Smith also comes with the lowest guaranteed money of the three trade targets at $18.5 million for next season, which makes him a more manageable cap hit for a team still figuring out its identity.
The Jets have options - and that's not something they've always had at quarterback. Whether they go with a high-upside rookie like Simpson or opt for a veteran like Smith to stabilize the offense, the goal is the same: find someone who can move the chains, protect the football, and give this team a fighting chance in 2026.
Because after a 3-14 season, the Jets don’t just need a quarterback. They need a direction.