The New York Jets may be committed to winning in 2026. That doesn't mean general manager Darren Mougey can afford to ignore what could be waiting for him next offseason.
According to Glenn Naughton, Mougey has reportedly flown out to watch Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback C.J. Carr three times this season. He reported this via his official X account.
@nyjets GM Darren Mougey has reportedly flown out to watch @NDFootball QB CJ Carr three times. A player for fans to get familiar with.
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) October 4, 2026
Every throw against @UNCFootball. pic.twitter.com/DqVZXh1EuR
That level of scouting attention is notable given the importance of the quarterback position and the Jets' collection of 2027 first-round draft capital. Carr has given NFL evaluators plenty to watch.
Notre Dame improved to 5-0 with Saturday's 37-26 victory over North Carolina, and Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
Through the first five games, he has established himself as one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the 2027 class. The Jets already have Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik on the active roster, while Will Levis is on the practice squad. Smith has played well enough to make the Jets competitive, but he turns 36 on Oct. 10, making the long-term quarterback question impossible to ignore.
C.J. Carr is already appearing in Jets mock drafts
This isn't the first time Carr has been connected to New York. Several early 2027 mock drafts have projected the Notre Dame quarterback to the Jets, including one Sporting News projection that sent him to New York with the No. 5 pick.
There is still an enormous amount of football to be played before the 2027 draft, and Carr has plenty left to prove against increasingly difficult competition. ESPN currently lists him among the quarterbacks who could rise into the first round, while other draft analysts have already identified him as one of the class' more intriguing passers.
For now, Mougey's reported interest should be viewed for what it is: scouting. The Jets don't have to decide anything about their quarterback future today. They do, however, have an opportunity to gather as much information as possible before that decision eventually arrives, and Carr is clearly a player worth watching.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets GM Darren Mougey reportedly showing added interest in C.J. Carr
