The New York Jets are once again staring down a familiar question: who’s going to be their guy under center? With a revamped coaching staff in place and no long-term answer at quarterback, the Jets are approaching another offseason with urgency-and uncertainty.
The need is clear. The path to filling it?
Not so much.
Free agency will be one of the key battlegrounds, and while the headlines will focus on the big names and top draft prospects, there’s a growing sense that the Jets might need to look beyond the obvious. That could mean taking a swing on a quarterback who hasn’t fully proven himself yet-but whose ceiling is still intriguing.
One name making the rounds is Malik Willis. At 26 years old (turning 27 in May), Willis is hitting the market at an interesting time. He’s still one of the youngest quarterbacks expected to be available, and his brief stint with the Green Bay Packers gave teams a small but promising glimpse of what he might bring to the table.
Now, let’s be clear: Willis isn’t walking into free agency with a Pro Bowl résumé. But he’s also not the typical journeyman backup.
His spot start with the Packers hinted at growth, poise, and the kind of raw talent that once made him a high-upside draft pick. And given Green Bay’s track record with quarterback development, any flashes of progress from Willis are worth paying attention to.
If the Jets decide to pursue him, they won’t be alone. Several teams with quarterback needs are expected to be in the mix, which gives Willis leverage-and likely drives up the price tag.
He could be looking at a deal in the range of what the Jets gave Justin Fields last offseason, if not more. That’s not nothing, but it’s also not the kind of mega-deal that eats a team alive if it doesn’t pan out.
What makes Willis an interesting fit for New York is that he wouldn’t just be a one-year stopgap. He’s not a bridge quarterback in the traditional sense.
He’s a player you bring in with the hope that he can grow into the role-and maybe surprise some people along the way. But it’s a gamble, no doubt about it.
Willis has yet to prove he can handle the grind of a full NFL season as a starter. That’s the big question.
Can he take the reins for 17 games, lead a locker room, and produce consistently against top-tier defenses? We don’t know yet.
And that’s what makes this such a fascinating offseason decision for the Jets.
They need a quarterback. They need one now. But whether they go with a high-profile draft pick, a veteran with a track record, or a younger player like Willis with untapped potential, the decision they make in the coming months will shape the franchise’s direction for years to come.
The clock’s ticking in New York. And once again, all eyes are on the quarterback.