Death, taxes and the New York Jets not having a capable quarterback.
Few things in life are more guaranteed than that. Since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 3, a dark cloud has hung over the franchise, resembling something that can only be explained as a higher power with some vested interest in the Jets’ continued mediocrity.
Whether it’s the curse of the Joe Namath guarantee or remarkable ineptitude is up for debate, but ‘Gang Green’ is back in the market for another new signal caller.
Trading for four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers didn’t work. Drafting a quarterback hasn’t worked. In the last decade, the Jets have tried different versions of team building only to finish in the same spot.
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They drafted a quarterback second overall, Zach Wilson, and hired the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, to be their head coach with a rookie offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur. While it blew up in the Jets’ faces, that same method worked beautifully for the Houston Texans, who have been to the playoffs each of the last two seasons with C.J. Stroud.
New York also tried to bring in the veteran, ring-chasing option in Rodgers. It worked for the Los Angeles Rams with Matthew Stafford and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tom Brady, as both franchises won Super Bowls. It couldn’t have gone worse for the Jets.
Now that the team is moving on from Rodgers, they’re back in a familiar market. Except this time, there is no great option for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey to right the ship. One thing’s for certain though. The old one with Rodgers was sinking and the new regime would rather be in a lifeboat than at the bottom of the ocean.
With that in mind, here’s a look at who the Jets’ quarterback could be in 2025 as they start over. Again.
Jets QB options 2025
With a vacancy at the quarterback spot, the Jets will need someone to fill that position in 2025. They can do it with some options on the roster, explore free agency or draft a replacement.
Here’s a look at the options for each path.
On the roster
Tyrod Taylor
Taylor profiles as the likeliest answer to the Jets’ quarterback question in 2025, considering he’s already on the roster. Brought in to be a capable backup to Rodgers, Taylor has been an NFL starter before but not full-time since 2017. He comes with a fair share of injury concerns but serves as a bridge to whatever awaits the organization in 2026 and beyond.
Jordan Travis
Barring something unforeseen, Travis won’t be starting for the Jets in 2025. Regardless, his presence on the roster makes him an option. The fifth-round pick missed all of 2024 with a serious leg injury but has no ties to the current regime. While he likely makes it to training camp, the quarterback could be on the chopping block depending on how the offseason shakes out. Still, he is a lottery ticket and the winning number has yet to be announced. The door will remain open for the man with two first names until proven otherwise.
Free agency or trade
Justin Fields
Arguably the leader in the clubhouse from the not-on-the-team options, Fields also comes with arguably the highest upside. He can be viewed in a similar light to Sam Darnold and Geno Smith, who both made strides with a change of scenery. While we wouldn’t bet on it, Fields did have Russell Wilson lurking in the shadows last season and never stood a chance with the Bears.
He’s one of the younger options that likely becomes available and is better than the veteran who will likely be one-and-done. With great mobility, Fields is a quick fix that gives the Jets a different dimension than they had with Rodgers, who was closer to becoming a statue after the Achilles injury. At the very least, he could help spark some life into the running game. There is also the added element that the team’s previous decision-makers passed on Fields to select Wilson No. 2 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. Fields dropped to No. 11 despite being considered by many as the second-best quarterback in that class. Maybe they catch lightning in a bottle, but Fields remains the most inspiring, realistic option not named Tyrod Taylor.
Russell Wilson
From one former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback to another, Wilson could be the one that shakes loose out of the Steel City. Wilson’s been around the NFL block a few times and has a history of success. Of course, none of that has been recent though. The 36-year-old hasn’t won as much in his three seasons away from Seattle. Despite a decent year in Pittsburgh, regression came for the quarterback quickly, relegating him to a game-manager role at best.
Wilson has won plenty over the years but does come with some funky quirks. Whether it was warming up on a plane or demands of an office and parking spot upon his arrival in Denver, the Jets would be better off exploring other avenues. Considering Mr. Unlimited likely comes with just a one-year commitment, it can’t be ruled out.
Kirk Cousins
Cousins looks like he’s on the outs in Atlanta. He looked completely cooked during his one-year stay in the Peach State, but maybe someone else can enjoy the fruits of his labor. Anyone with eyes likely isn’t inspired by Cousins’ 2024 season. However, he would come cheap and be another year removed from an Achilles injury of his own. Yes, the Jets just went through this experiment with Rodgers. This one could be done at a fraction of the cost without a commitment beyond 2025, unlike the hefty cap hit brought by Rodgers.
It’s unlikely the Jets will travel down this road if they plan to draft a quarterback after Cousins’ was unhappy with the Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr. last year. There is also the added history between player and organization. Cousins famously used the Jets as leverage for his move to the Vikings. While New York has a new regime, those feelings can sometimes carry over. If there’s one thing working in favor of this potential move, it’s that the Jets hired former Vikings’ GM Rick Spielman as a senior football advisor. He was on the other side of the Cousins’ drama and that link could play a significant role.
Sam Darnold
How about this for a story? Darnold came into the NFL as a top prospect only to fall short during his first few seasons. He was forced to find himself, traveling the country to learn and grow before finally making serious strides in Minnesota. Now, he has the chance to return to the Jets as a changed man and make things right. That storybook script sounds like a cheesy Hallmark movie without the romance.
More importantly, it’s almost certainly not going to happen. Darnold will be available, but with other suitors and his end-of-season meltdown, the quarterback will probably play elsewhere next season. Until the ink dries, though, anything is possible.
Jameis Winston
Winston is far and away the most entertaining option on the board. The legend of ‘Famous Jameis’ only continued to grow during Super Bowl week for his work behind the microphone in the lead-up to the game. Aside from the speeches and personality, he also enjoys slinging the rock all over the yard – to anyone willing to catch it on his team or not.
The Jets have been consistently bad, but a predictable bad. Winston adds a level of excitement that would have the New York media’s heads spinning each and every day. While fun, he feels like an outside contender only if things go south with other options.
NFL draft
Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders
It would likely take some draft maneuvering to secure the services of either quarterback. While the class is considered weak, that doesn’t mean a star student can’t emerge. Depending on how the Jets’ new brain trust views the top two signal callers, they could move up or strike in the event of an unlikely draft slide. Every indication says to avoid reaching for a quarterback this year. Someone will do it. Whether the Jets are that team remains to be seen.
Jalen Milroe
Unlike Ward and Sanders, these next two options don’t come with the need to mortgage the future. Milroe is a prospect with a wide range of outcomes. Given the tools, he is probably the one many will suggest could be the best in the class. Milroe’s mobility was on full display at Alabama, where he routinely carved through defenses with his legs.
The quarterback position, at least for now, is built on throwing ability though. Milroe will need to improve as a passer, but he certainly possesses the arm strength and has shown enough flashes to suggest that’s a possibility. Regardless, this is not a player the Jets should draft and throw into the fire right away.
Jaxson Dart
Some have the rising prospect catapulting into the first round, but Dart is probably more of a day-two pick. If some team falls in love with the player, they can sneak into the back of Round 1 to secure the coveted fifth-year option. That seems unlikely at this stage, but he is more of a project than a day-one starter.
Coming off a big year at Ole Miss, Dart showed that he has a capable arm and solid mobility, and his rise up the boards only continued at the Senior Bowl. The Jets can take a shot and allow Dart to sit behind a veteran before learning if they hit the bullseye.