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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacting at the 2025 NFL Combine.
The New York Jets are expected to make a splash at the quarterback position this offseason.
ESPN NFL analyst Aaron Schatz projected one signing for every team in the league. For the Jets, he wrote that the Jets would land Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
“Yes, it was a small sample with just one start and four total games played, but Willis had a phenomenal 93.1 QBR for the Packers in 2025. And he had an impressive 77.3 QBR in two starts the season before,” Schatz said.
“Willis is going to sign somewhere to start, and the Jets need a new quarterback. Justin Fields didn’t work out, and Fernando Mendoza seems to be the only QB prospect worthy of the first-round pick in April. It’s unlikely Mendoza will fall past Las Vegas at No. 1,” Schatz added.
NFL Insider Talks Jets QB Situation
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport sat down with Jets senior reporter Eric Allen at the 2026 Combine. During that conversation, Rapoport shared what he is hearing about the Jets’ plans at the QB position.
“There is probably another first-round quarterback [beyond Fernando Mendoza], but I don’t know that it’s going to be early. So I don’t know if [the Jets are] going to take one. It might be a year that you sort of bridge the gap. If that’s what you want or what you have to do, there are actually some really good options this year,” Rapoport explained.
“There is Malik Willis. I think the upside there is really interesting. I would say probably the most fascinating free agent quarterback that we have seen in a really long time,” Rapoport said. “When Kirk Cousins was a free agent coming out of Washington, he is going to make more than Malik Willis will. I have no idea what Malik Willis is going to be, and that really intrigues me. When he got to play, he looked excellent [and] poised — there is a lot to like.”
.@nflnetwork Insider @RapSheet told @eallenjets the latest he is hearing on the #Jets QB situation ahead of free agency:
“There is Malik Willis. I think the upside there is really interesting. I would say probably the most fascinating free agent quarterback that we have seen in
Willis, 26, made one start for the Packers last season. He finished 18-of-21 for 288 passing yards with one passing touchdown and zero interceptions. He added nine carries for 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Green Bay may have lost the game to the Baltimore Ravens, 41-24, but Willis won the day by creating significant interest ahead of free agency.
NFL Insider Matt Lombardo told me that he expects the Jets to be “big players” for Willis on the open market.
ESPN’s Ben Solak explained on “The Rich Eisen Show” that Wills is going to get close to Baker Mayfield’s money. Mayfield makes $33.3 million per season on his current contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Scared Money, Don’t Make Money
Last year, the Jets took a risk in free agency, signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal.
That experiment was an epic disaster.
General manager Darren Mougey told NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY at the NFL Combine that they won’t be afraid to dip their toes back into the free agent waters again this offseason.
“Yeah, exactly, if that didn’t work, that doesn’t mean we won’t do it again. We are learning throughout these processes, and again, the dialogue and conversations are ongoing,” Mougey said.
.@Connor_J_Hughes asked #Jets GM Darren Mougey if the Justin Fields failure in free agency last year will deter them from going back into those waters this offseason:
‘If that didnt work that doesn’t mean we won’t do it again.’
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It doesn’t mean the Jets will go the free agent route, but it means that option is certainly on the table.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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