The New York Jets are on the hunt for a quarterback this offseason, and the buzz is that general manager Darren Mougey is eyeing two intriguing veteran backups. The focus is on Philadelphia Eagles’ Tanner McKee and Houston Texans’ Davis Mills as potential solutions.
While there’s been chatter about a possible trade for Kyler Murray, insiders suggest Mougey is leaning towards a more budget-friendly option. The spotlight is on McKee and Mills as the Jets look to navigate a challenging offseason following the disappointing outcome of the Justin Fields experiment last year.
Drafting a quarterback might be the ideal scenario, but with this year’s class lacking depth, the Jets could be better off waiting until 2027 to make a significant draft investment. This leaves them in need of a bridge quarterback who can deliver wins and help keep Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn off the hot seat.
Tanner McKee is an unproven talent, with only 88 career passes under his belt. He’s shown promise in preseason and limited regular-season action, but his experience is minimal.
On the other hand, Davis Mills brings more to the table with 44 games and 29 starts. Although he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022, Mills stepped up for Houston last season, filling in for an injured C.J.
Stroud. Over six games, he completed 57.2% of his passes for 915 yards and threw five touchdowns against just one interception, going undefeated in his three starts.
Mills seems like the safer bet for immediate impact, offering the Jets a better chance to win. However, McKee, being two years younger, presents more potential for long-term development. The Texans might prefer to hold onto Mills, especially given Stroud’s recent struggles, making McKee a more likely trade candidate.
If the Jets can secure McKee for the right price, say a fifth-round pick or later, it could be a smart move. However, they shouldn’t stop there and need to bring in additional veteran competition to support the young quarterback.