The Jets need a new quarterback. With free agency set to begin in the NFL next week, it is no surprise that rumors are flying.
Connor Hughes of SNY suggests journeyman veteran quarterback Carson Wentz could be a name to watch due to his ties with offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
The #Jets might not target just one quarterback in free agency. Belief from agents who met with them at the NFL Combine is that they prefer to add two — if they can. It’s similar to what the #Giants did a year ago (Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston).
Kyler Murray was discussed, but he is expected to sign with the Vikings, per sources. No Kirk Cousins, but watch Geno Smith & Carson Wentz. There is interest there. Jacoby Brissett, too, if Cardinals can be convinced to part. Was told that’s “doubtful,” with Jimmy Garoppolo expected to stay in LA. JG signing with the Cardinals would change that.
Wentz might surprise some, because of the notion Frank Reich/Wentz relationship fell apart in Indianapolis. From my understanding, that was more GM/owner, not coach. The two remain very close.
One source told me that the QB Reich prefers is Wentz. A quote from another: “No one loves Wentz more than Frank.”
We’ll see what #NYJ can get done.
I’m not entirely sure what the Jets would see in Wentz beyond his relationship with Reich. He hasn’t been a full-time starter in the league since 2022 and hasn’t been a quality starter since 2019. I’m struggling to see the fit even as a backup. Tyrod Taylor was on the team in 2025 in no small part due to his locker room influence while questions about Wentz’s leadership ability have followed him through his career.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Atheltic suggests the Jets will have interest in Geno Smith.
Smith started his career with the Jets as a second round Draft pick in 2013. He left the team as a free agent after. a tumultuous four year stint and bounced around the league before finding a home in Seattle as Russell Wilson’s backup. After Seattle traded Wilson in 2022, Geno took over as starter and played at a quality level for three years before being traded to the Raiders in 2025. His one season in Las Vegas was ugly. Smith was one of the least productive quarterbacks in the league, and at 35 there have to be questions about whether that is an indication of a steep decline.
The Jets won’t have many options, though.
Rosenblatt also lists Jacoby Brissett as a likely option.
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals: It feels as if the Jets are tied to Brissett every offseason. The previous regime wanted to sign him as a backup on multiple occasions. He also, in many ways, feels like a perfect bridge quarterback for this Jets team in particular. Remove all of his connections to this iteration of the Jets and he’s simply a solid quarterback. He stepped in for Murray last season in Arizona and was prolific. Brissett averaged 280 passing yards per game and threw for 3,366 total yards — the second-most in the NFL from Week 6 onward — along with the third-most touchdowns (23). He finished the season ranked No. 12 in EPA per attempt.
The Jets ties, though, are what’s most notable here. First, there’s Reich: Brissett and Reich were together in Indianapolis from 2018 to 2020, and Brissett was the full-time starter in 2019 (after Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement), when he passed for 2,942 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. Reich said this about Brissett in 2019: “It’s impossible for me to have a higher opinion of Jacoby than I do.”
We are just a few days away from the start of the new league year. Unfortunately few quality options seem to be on the horizon for the Jets.
