What Lamar Jackson Trade Rumors Could Mean for the Jets’ 2026 Draft Plans
Let’s get this out of the way up front: Lamar Jackson isn’t heading to the New York Jets in 2026. As enticing as that idea might sound to some fans-pairing a two-time MVP with a team still searching for long-term quarterback stability-it’s just not in the cards. But that doesn’t mean Jackson’s name floating around in trade rumors doesn’t have ripple effects in Florham Park.
Here’s where things get interesting.
A recent column out of Baltimore stirred the pot, suggesting the Ravens might consider moving on from Jackson. The reason?
A combination of durability concerns and questions about his long-term fit. That’s a bold proposition, especially when you’re talking about a quarterback with Jackson’s résumé.
But if Baltimore does decide to hit the reset button, it could shake up the 2026 draft landscape-and that’s where the Jets come in.
The Raiders, Dolphins, and a Potential Shake-Up
According to the report, two teams could be in the mix for Jackson if the Ravens go the trade route: the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders. Neither team is the Jets. But both could play a major role in shaping New York’s draft outlook.
Let’s start with Las Vegas. The Raiders are a team that’s been hovering near the top of the draft order, and if they land Jackson, that changes everything.
Suddenly, they’re out of the quarterback sweepstakes. That’s a win for the Jets, who are likely eyeing the 2026 draft as a prime opportunity to find their next franchise signal-caller.
Fewer QB-needy teams at the top of the board means better positioning for New York-whether they’re drafting their guy or leveraging that pick in a trade.
Then there’s Miami. A Jackson-to-the-Dolphins scenario doesn’t do much to help the Jets in the short term-if anything, it makes the AFC East even more competitive.
But there’s a silver lining. Miami would have to give up serious draft capital to make a move like that happen.
And with lingering issues on both their offensive and defensive lines, mortgaging the future for a quarterback-no matter how dynamic-could leave them exposed elsewhere.
That’s a long-term play, but one the Jets wouldn’t mind seeing unfold.
Baltimore at a Crossroads
Now, let’s be clear: there’s no guarantee the Ravens are actually shopping Jackson. He’s under contract through 2027, and he’s due to make $74.5 million over the next two seasons.
That would make him the league’s highest-paid quarterback. You don’t move on from that kind of player lightly.
But the conversation coming out of Baltimore suggests that, at the very least, the organization is weighing its options. If they believe Jackson’s style of play won’t hold up over time-or if they’re looking to retool around a younger, cheaper quarterback-then a blockbuster deal could be on the table.
And if it is, the Jets need to be paying attention.
What It Means for New York
For a team like the Jets, who are still trying to chart a clear course at quarterback beyond 2025, the potential movement of a player like Jackson-especially to a team like the Raiders-could be a major development. It’s not about acquiring Jackson themselves. It’s about how the dominoes fall around them.
If Las Vegas exits the quarterback market, the Jets’ path to landing their guy-whether through the draft or a trade-gets a little bit clearer. If Miami goes all-in on Jackson, they might be sacrificing the depth and balance that’s needed to truly contend in the AFC.
Either way, the Jets could come out of this in a better position than they were before the rumors started swirling.
No, Lamar Jackson isn’t coming to New York. But depending on where he lands-if he lands anywhere at all-the Jets might just find themselves with a clearer path to solving their most important question: who’s under center in 2026 and beyond?