The New York Jets are at the crossroads of their offseason quarterback saga. They need to do so all the while navigating a lack of funds and capitalizing on their rich collection of draft capital. Count the Jets among the bold, with trades of cornerstone players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Now, having accumulated three first-round draft picks worth of capital, they’re set to remake their quarterback depth chart.
Currently, the Jets are due to receive two first-round picks in 2026 and three in 2027. The team is still dealing with the financial fallout from the disastrous acquisition of Aaron Rodgers. Now, they are receiving a tidal wave of draft capital to support the progress they’ve already made. This would plunge the Jets into a $35 million dead cap hit in 2026. This burden only adds to their short-term financial inflexibility as they look ahead to major roster moves needed in short time.
Beyond the dead cap hit, the Jets are now faced with $57 million in QB desert. Justin Fields is under contract through 2026, making $20 million with $10 million guaranteed. On the other hand, Tyrod Taylor has a difficult situation because both players will be free agents after this season. Neither quarterback will be back in 2024—both are so-called semi-lame-ducks. In turn, the Jets will almost certainly end up prioritizing a complete reset of their quarterback options this offseason.
The Jets’ coaching staff, led by Aaron Glenn, has already begun making significant personnel changes, including the decision to part ways with Rodgers. Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are left with some pivotal, and probably difficult, decisions to make about the future of their quarterback room.
That’s an important part of it.” He had plenty of praise for Fields’ potential, with Mougey saying, “I absolutely believe Justin can be one of those guys.” This declaration provides some hope for Fields’s future. Additionally, he is earnestly figuring out how to play his nebulous new role inside the organization.
First, as the Jets strategize looking long-term, there are several critical questions that they are now forced to confront. Can Field or Taylor earn the job next season? For one veteran personnel executive the lack of team options really underlined the lack of certainty, commenting, “What were their options? This feeling points to the bigger tug and pull the Jets are having as they attempt to evaluate their quarterback room.
The 2024 draft will be the best opportunity yet for the Jets to find a franchise quarterback. Notable college prospects such as Dante Moore from Oregon and Ty Simpson from Alabama currently dominate ESPN senior draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest Big Board. Moore and Simpson are first and fifth respectively, while South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers is 21st. Nonetheless, it’s rumored that both Moore and Simpson will choose to return to college for more seasoning.
Talk surrounding the Commanders’ next quarterback acquisition has reached an early fever pitch. Names such as Joe Burrow have even emerged as potential targets, but this seems more wishful thinking than practical. Another interesting possibility is Daniel Jones, who’s revived his career with Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. If Wright continues to play like he did, he’ll become an attractive candidate for any team who’s looking for some stability at the quarterback position.
Now the Jets’ decision makers have to seriously reconsider their plan. They have four high draft pick prospects over the next four years, either in 2026 or 2027. They should be able to leverage these picks to draft a franchise-rescuing young QB. Or, instead, they could work to orchestrate a trade for a less-endowed veteran passer. The team’s unsuccessful bid for Kirk Cousins in 2018 serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in securing reliable quarterback talent.
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