Jets Offseason Outlook: Quarterback Questions, Draft Priorities, and a Familiar Name in the Mix
Let’s be honest-Jets fans aren’t asking for fireworks from the offense in 2026. They’re just asking for functionality. After years of watching one of the league’s most stagnant units, even a middle-of-the-pack offense-say, ranked 15th to 20th-would feel like a breath of fresh air in East Rutherford.
But here’s the reality check: It’s early February, and the Jets still don’t have a starting quarterback. They don’t have an offensive coordinator.
No quarterbacks coach. Several key positional coaching roles are unfilled.
So while dreams of offensive dominance are nice, the immediate goal is far more grounded-competency.
The Kirk Cousins Possibility
Now, let’s talk quarterbacks-and yes, that includes Kirk Cousins. His name has hovered around the Jets for years, whether it was before his move to Atlanta, during his tenure in Minnesota, or every time his contract came up for renewal. Whether or not there was ever real traction behind those links, the situation now feels different.
The Jets need a quarterback. Cousins is likely to be available.
And while it’s tough to evaluate any QB fit without knowing who the next OC will be, Cousins’ experience and skill set could provide the stability this team desperately needs. Based on the offensive minds reportedly in the mix for the coordinator job, Cousins would likely mesh well with most modern systems.
He’s not the flashiest option, but let’s be real-flash hasn’t worked for the Jets. They need someone who can run an offense, lead a locker room, and keep the chains moving. Cousins checks those boxes.
Mock Draft Breakdown: ESPN’s Two-Round Projection
Matt Miller dropped his latest two-round post-Senior Bowl mock draft, and it gives us a glimpse into how the Jets might approach a critical offseason. With four picks in the first two rounds, they’ve got the draft capital to reshape this roster.
Round 1: Arvell Reese - EDGE
Jets fans might be clamoring for a quarterback with their top pick, but with Fernando Mendoza off the board and no other QB worth reaching for, the pick here is Arvell Reese. And it makes a lot of sense.
The Jets finished 31st in sacks last season with just 26. That’s not going to cut it in today’s NFL. Despite recent first-round investments in Jermaine Johnson (2022) and Will McDonald IV (2023), they still lack a true game-wrecker off the edge.
Reese is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher built in the mold of Micah Parsons or Abdul Carter-explosive off the line, quick hands, and the kind of raw tools that could blossom into elite production once he fully transitions to a full-time edge role. He’s the kind of player who can tilt the field and force offenses to game-plan around him.
Round 2: Makai Lemon - WR
Instead of forcing a quarterback pick, the Jets go best player available with Makai Lemon-and it’s a savvy move.
Lemon is a technician. He caught 79 balls on 110 targets last season with just one drop, racking up 11 touchdowns and nearly 100 yards per game.
He’s not a burner or a physical freak at 5’11”, 195 pounds, but he’s a gritty, intelligent route-runner who thrives in the middle of the field. Think Amon-Ra St.
Brown: toughness, reliability, and a knack for moving the chains.
With Garrett Wilson already in place, adding Lemon gives the Jets a true complement and starts to flesh out a receiving corps that’s lacked depth and consistency.
Round 2: Kayden McDonald - DT
The Quinnen Williams trade left a big hole in the middle of the Jets’ defensive line. Even before that move, there were concerns about the run defense.
Enter Kayden McDonald, a stout interior lineman who projects as a starting-caliber nose tackle or 1-tech. He’s built to eat up space, plug gaps, and keep the linebackers clean. Not a flashy pick, but a foundational one-especially for a defense that wants to reassert its physical identity.
Round 2: Ty Simpson - QB
Finally, a quarterback-just not in the first round.
Ty Simpson doesn’t carry a first-round grade, and according to conversations at the Senior Bowl, no team saw him as that caliber of prospect. But with four picks in the top two rounds, the Jets can afford to take a swing.
Simpson’s physical tools don’t jump off the page-he’s a bit undersized and doesn’t have a rocket arm-but he’s smart, poised, and processes the game well. He’s a developmental option with upside, and in the right system, he could grow into a starter. At this point in the draft, that’s a gamble worth taking.
Coaching Carousel and Front Office Buzz
The Jets have completed second interviews with Greg Roman and Darrell Bevell for the offensive coordinator role. No word on Frank Reich, who had previously been mentioned in some circles. Whoever gets the job will play a massive role in shaping the team’s offensive identity-and potentially in the decision to pursue Cousins or develop a young QB like Simpson.
There’s also a familiar face potentially returning to the fold. According to Tony Pauline, former Jets linebacker Bart Scott is interested in coaching and would welcome a role with his old team.
Scott’s pitch is compelling-he’s got the football IQ, the leadership skills, and the firsthand experience players respect. With former players like Mike Vrabel and DeMeco Ryans finding success as head coaches, there’s a growing belief that this kind of transition works-especially when the locker room needs a culture reset.
Around the League: More Jets Rumblings
- Justin Fields was reportedly invited to the Pro Bowl but declined. Not exactly headline news, but it’s another wrinkle in the ongoing saga of the Jets’ quarterback room.
- Trade talk continues to swirl. There was buzz at the Senior Bowl that the Jets were eyeing a move up to the No. 1 overall pick to land Mendoza.
But according to Daniel Jeremiah, the Raiders aren’t budging. They’re reportedly enamored with Mendoza, so any Jets trade-up might be more dream than reality at this point.
- Free agency whispers suggest the Jets could target Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. He’s been quietly excellent-no touchdowns allowed in each of the last two seasons-and would be a strong fit in Aaron Glenn’s defense.
- Running back swap? There’s also speculation about a possible deal involving Kenneth Walker III coming to New York, with Breece Hall heading the other way. That’s a blockbuster-level move, and while nothing is confirmed, it’s the kind of shake-up that would signal a major shift in offensive philosophy.
Final Thoughts
The Jets’ offseason is already shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent memory. With no clear-cut quarterback, a coaching staff still under construction, and multiple high-value draft picks, the front office has its work cut out.
The Kirk Cousins question looms large-but so does the opportunity to reshape this roster through the draft. Whether they go the veteran route, roll the dice on a rookie, or try to do both, one thing is clear: the Jets can’t afford to get this wrong.
Competency is the goal. And in 2026, that might be the most important step toward building something sustainable.