The New York Jets will be in the mix for several big-name quarterbacks this offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler spoke with industry sources to share some predictions of what is to come this offseason. The NFL execs predicted that Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, Miami Dolphins passer Tua Tagovailoa, and Arizona Cardinals QB1 Kyler Murray will all be made available for the Jets.
“This notion isn’t exactly bold — all three quarterbacks appear to not be in the long-term plans of their current franchises. But they are each former Pro Bowlers and several teams have a glaring need at the position each year,” Fowler explained.
“Do the Jets get one of those three — that’s really the question I have,” an anonymous AFC executive told Fowler. “They could go young and load up for the 2027 draft of quarterbacks, but the head coach [Aaron Glenn] probably needs to win, so he might need more of a reliable option.”
“Miami and Arizona are saddled with large guarantees on deals with Tagovailoa and Murray, respectively. Murray would make more sense to New York, given Tagovailoa’s ties to the AFC East, but not everyone is convinced Arizona owner Michael Bidwill would pay a significant portion of Murray’s $37 million in guarantees for him to not play in Arizona,” Fowler wrote.
“Smith’s contract is more manageable, with $18.5 million already guaranteed for 2026 (another $8 million becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the new league year). The 35-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Jets, throwing 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions before moving on. The Jets will need to make significant plans for a veteran passer regardless,” Fowler added.
The Jets Have No Other Choice in the Matter
The moment Dante Moore decided to return to Oregon, the Jets’ 2026 NFL draft dynamics changed.
Moore was widely considered the favorite to be the No. 2 overall pick in the first round had he entered. He didn’t.
Now, there isn’t a clear QB for the Jets to take that would inspire hope that he can be a franchise quarterback. Fernando Mendoza is fully expected to be taken with the top pick by the Raiders.
So the Jets are left with minimal options to find a long-term solution. In addition to that future prognosis, the Jets are also desperately seeking a short-term solution.
Head coach Aaron Glenn needs to win now to save his job. There isn’t a quarterback on the roster who can help him do that. Which means he will have to go outside the four walls to find his next QB1.
A Potential Smith Reunion on 1 Jets Drive?
Smith, 35, entered the league as the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.
He spent the first four years of his career with the Jets. Smith certainly showed flashes of being something, but they were marred by inconsistencies and turnovers.
The former West Virginia product fumbled 17 times and threw 36 interceptions with the Jets. That sent him down the path of journeyman backup quarterback for the next five years.
Smith reemerged from the darkness in 2022 as a full-time starter at the ripe age of 32 for the Seattle Seahawks. He won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award and delivered a career campaign.
Smith completed 69.8% of his passes, threw for 4,282 passing yards, and had 30 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions.
Things haven’t gone as swimmingly in Las Vegas. Smith finished with a 2-13 record as the starting quarterback after his first season. He led the league in interceptions (17) and seemed to regress in every facet of the game.
While that isn’t great, the brutal truth is the Jets are desperate. There is a very realistic path to Smith returning to New York this offseason as the Jets’ QB1.
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