How will the New York Jets find their franchise quarterback?
The Jets’ quarterback play in 2025 was perhaps the worst in the NFL. In the off-season, Justin Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal to become first-year head coach, Aaron Glenn’s starting QB — which only last the first nine games of the season before he was benched in favor of veteran signal caller, Tyrod Taylor. An injury, coupled with poor play from Taylor saw Glenn turn to undrafted rookie, Brady Cook to start under center for the Jets’ final four games of the season. Fields, Taylor, and Cook combined for a lowly 2,378 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions — and a 3-14 record.
With Fields a likely cut candidate, Taylor considering retirement, and Cook struggling mightily, it’s likely that the Jets’ 2026 starting quarterback is not currently on the club’s roster — and while the upcoming draft is seen as a one man quarterback class in reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion, Fernando Mendoza (who’s widely expected to go first-overall to the Las Vegas Raiders), the Jets may need to look at the current veteran backup market to provide a bridge option for the club next season.
In steps New Orleans Saints backup, Spencer Rattler…according to a recent projection from ESPN.
More News: Browns Trade Prediction is Bad News for Shedeur Sanders
More News: Tua Tagovailoa Linked to Shocking NFC Contender
Despite a 1-13 record as the Saints’ starting quarterback, Rattler showed vast improvement during his eight starts in 2025. The former Oklahoma star completed nearly 68% of his passes for 1,586 yards, and eight touchdowns while adding 167 yards on the ground. However, due to their at-the-time 1-7 record, the Saints opted to give their second-round rookie, Tyler Shough an opportunity to start and the Louisville product led the club to a 5-4 record while throwing for 2,384 yards and 13 total touchdowns (10 passing, three rushing).
With Shough the quarterback of the future in New Orleans, the Saints could look to get some draft capital for Rattler, and the Jets, who own 11 picks in this upcoming April’s draft could be the perfect trade partner — especially with the price likely only costing the Jets a day three selection, something the club has a bevy of (one fourth, two fifths, one sixth, two sevenths).
If a deal for Rattler doesn’t come to fruition, or ends up as a one-year bridge, the Jets can perhaps get creative as they own two first-round picks as well as two second-round picks in this year’s draft following the trades of star defenders, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner and Quinnen Williams. In 2027, the Jets are stocked with three first-round selections in what many experts believe will be one of the most stacked quarterback draft classes in recent memory — with the likes of Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore, South Carolina’s Lanorris Sellers, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, and Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss all eligible to declare for next April’s draft.
