In what seems like an annual event, the Jets are looking for a quarterback this offseason.

The bad news is that the NFL Draft class of quarterbacks is just as weak as it was a year ago.

The Raiders will presumably select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. That would leave the Jets, who pick second, to take the best available defensive player (Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr.).

Free agency has a bit more options. However, Daniel Jones is still recovering from an Achilles injury and there’s zero chance Aaron Rodgers and the Jets would reconnect.

Gang Green could retain Justin Fields after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract last year. But that is unlikely, given that Fields is likely to be released before the start of free agency.

With the draft class and free agency market for quarterbacks so thin, what should the Jets do at quarterback in 2026? They are projected to have over $83 million of salary cap space to spend at the start of the new league year on March 11. That would rank them in the top five in cap space after the league’s projected 2026 cap increase to between $301.2 million and $305.7 million.

So let’s examine the top candidates the Jets could target this offseason.

KYLER MURRAY, CARDINALS

Arizona is reportedly exploring ways to trade Murray after seven seasons in the desert. He is guaranteed $36.8 million in 2026. On March 15, Murray would be guaranteed another $19.5 million of his 2027 base salary if he’s still on the Cardinals’ roster.

Trading Murray would give Arizona $34.7 million in cap savings. New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur was noncommittal on Murray’s future during his introductory press conference last week.

Murray, 28, played in just five games last season because of a foot injury. He passed for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He would be a very expensive bridge quarterback for the Jets to acquire, given his contract and injury history. But he probably is the best option in what could be a make-or-break 2026 season for coach Aaron Glenn.

In his first three seasons in the NFL, Murray won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and made Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2021. During that span, he threw for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions. He excelled in Kliff Kingsbury’s wide-open spread offense, which led to him receiving a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals in July 2022.

However, since tearing his ACL in 2022, Murray hasn’t been the same player. He has played in just 30 of the 51 possible games over the past three seasons due to various injuries. Murray threw for 6,612 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions while completing 67.8% of his passes.

Acquiring Murray probably wouldn’t cost the Jets a lot of their draft capital, considering his contract. The Jets have enough cap space to fit Murray’s contract.

But is Murray a cultural fit for Glenn and the Jets? The talent is there, but can he be the leader the Jets so desperately need? Many have questioned his maturity, vocal presence, and even Murray’s study habits in the past.

But Murray represents the best option for the Jets at quarterback. But Glenn and Jets general manager Darren Mougey know they cannot swing and miss as they did with Fields after a 3-14 season.

MALIK WILLIS, PACKERS

Willis will be the hot name in free agency after shining in limited duty for the Packers. After being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis has just six career starts — three with the Titans and three with the Packers — during his four seasons. But it was with the Packers that Willis finally displayed the potential many saw when he came out of college at Liberty.

Willis, 26, started just one game after Jordan Love suffered a concussion. He passed for 288 yards and a touchdown during a late-December loss to the Ravens.

If the Jets want to sign Willis, they will have to get in line. The Dolphins could also be interested in signing Willis, given his connections to new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who previously worked with him in Green Bay.

KIRK COUSINS, FALCONS

Cousins is another big-time name who is expected to hit free agency before the new league year. Atlanta is reportedly expected to release him within the next few weeks. If the Jets want a one-year stopgap option, Cousins could make the most sense.

Cousins, 37, had a decent year in his eight starts for the Falcons after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a partial tear of his left ACL. He finished with 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Now that he’s more than two full seasons removed from suffering a torn Achilles, Cousins may resemble the player he was pre-injury. But he is also considering retirement after dipping into television during the playoffs. But out of all the free agent options, Cousins would make the most sense for the Jets, assuming they also draft a rookie in April.

TUA TAGOVAILOA, DOLPHINS

If this were two years ago, Tagovailoa might be the most sought-after quarterback if the Dolphins made him available. But a lot has changed in 24 months, including Tagovailoa’s play, which was subpar last season.

Tagovailoa was benched last season for the final three games after passing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. His performance, along with that of other Dolphins players, eventually led to the sacking of general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel after a 7-10 record.

The Dolphins probably wouldn’t expect much in return for Tagovailoa given his contract. He is set to earn $39 million in base salary in 2026 (fully guaranteed), along with another $15 million signing bonus. I would be surprised if the Jets and Dolphins ultimately made an interdivisional trade for Tagovailoa.

JALEN MILROE, SEAHAWKS

With Sam Darnold just helping the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, many have forgotten they drafted Milroe less than a year ago in the third round. He was Seattle’s third quarterback behind Darnold and backup Drew Lock in 2025. But for fans of Ty Simpson, who declared for the draft, Milroe should also be considered.

Milroe started over Simpson at Alabama for two seasons and threw for 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns against 17 interceptions during that span. He was an explosive passer at Alabama and has a high ceiling as a dual-threat quarterback.

However, Milroe needs to limit the turnovers. He had eight fumbles and 11 interceptions in his final season for the Crimson Tide. If the Jets can pair Milroe with a veteran like Cousins, that would make a lot of sense, as long as they are patient.

JACOBY BRISSETT, CARDINALS

Brissett, 33, could be another option for the Jets if you connect the dots. Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich was Brissett’s former coach with the Colts for three seasons (2018-20). So he knows the new offensive system that will be put in place and a savvy veteran like Brissett could be beneficial to a team in need of stability like the Jets.

Last year, after Murray’s injury, Brissett was solid after finishing with 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 12 starts. However, the Cardinals have him under contract in 2026 and may want to hold on to Brissett, given the thin quarterback market.

DEREK CARR, RETIRED (RAIDERS AND SAINTS)

Speaking of connecting dots, Carr is another player with links to the Jets coaching staff. His former offensive coordinator with the Raiders, Bill Musgrave, is now the Jets new quarterback coach.

But there are many hurdles before a Carr and Jets marriage could come to fruition. Despite his retirement, Carr is still under contract with the Saints. Then, if he unretires, he would have to waive his no-trade clause, and then New Orleans would need to trade him.

Not to mention, Carr will be 35 at the start of next season, and this comes after a year without playing due to a shoulder injury. The last time Carr was on the field, he was inconsistent after passing for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 games. After the Fields fiasco, the Jets shouldn’t entertain this unless it’s a last-ditch effort to acquire a veteran quarterback.