Could Mac Jones Be the Jets’ Next Quarterback Gamble? Let’s Break It Down
The New York Jets are staring down another offseason filled with quarterback questions - and now, a new name is being floated into the mix: Mac Jones.
It’s a move that raises eyebrows for a few reasons. The Jets currently hold the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but with top quarterback prospects likely off the board by that spot - or perhaps not worth the reach - the team could pivot.
Trading back, selecting a mid-first-round QB like Ty Simpson or Trinidad Chambliss, or exploring the veteran market are all on the table. And that’s where Jones enters the conversation.
According to recent reports, the Jets are being linked to Jones as a potential trade target. It’s an intriguing possibility.
At 27 years old, Jones is coming off a bounce-back season with the San Francisco 49ers, where he stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy and held his own. He went 5-3 as a starter, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
His completion rate of 69.6% and a passer rating of 97.4 suggest he was more than just a stopgap - he was efficient, composed, and productive in a system that demands precision.
But this isn’t the first time Jones has looked like a promising starter. Drafted 15th overall by the New England Patriots in 2021, he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and looked like the long-term answer in Foxborough.
Then came the sophomore slump. His second season was rocky, and by Year 3, he’d lost the starting job to Bailey Zappe.
That led to a trade to Jacksonville, where he got another shot in 2024 after Trevor Lawrence went down with an injury. Unfortunately, that stint didn’t do much to restore his stock - eight touchdowns, eight interceptions across 10 games.
So what do we make of this version of Mac Jones? Is he the guy who stepped in and delivered for the 49ers in 2025, or the one who struggled to stay afloat in New England and Jacksonville?
From a Jets perspective, it’s a high-risk, moderate-reward scenario. The upside: Jones has shown he can run a structured offense and deliver when surrounded by the right pieces.
The downside: New York has been down this road before - bringing in quarterbacks with potential who never quite pan out. And with the Jets’ offensive line and skill positions still in flux, it’s fair to question whether this is the right environment for a reclamation project.
Still, if the Jets aren’t sold on the draft class and don’t want to overpay for a top-tier veteran, a trade for someone like Jones could be a stopgap solution - or a surprise success story. He’s still young, has starting experience, and just put together a solid stretch of games in a high-pressure situation.
The big question is whether the Jets believe Jones can be more than a bridge. If they do, this could be one of the more fascinating quarterback moves of the offseason. If not, it’s just another chapter in the team’s long-running search for stability under center.