It’s “smokescreen season” around the NFL, so it is wise to take every piece of “news” you hear with a grain of salt.
Still, with legal tampering set to open in under 75 hours, it’s fascinating to munch on each little breadcrumb that is tossed at our feet.
And we just got quite a few of those breadcrumbs regarding the New York Jets’ pursuit of a starting quarterback.
Citing conversations with agents who met with the Jets at the NFL Scouting Combine, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports that New York “prefers to add two” quarterbacks in free agency.
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,…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 6, 2026
Hughes mentioned Carson Wentz, Geno Smith, and Jacoby Brissett as possible suitors, with Wentz being particularly noteworthy due to his connection with Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich. While Kyler Murray is an option, agents around the NFL seem to be convinced he will join the Minnesota Vikings, although that is far from certain.
It isn’t the most thrilling outlook for Jets fans.
If New York has to settle for Wentz, Smith, or Brissett as their starting quarterback in 2026, expectations for the team will be about as low as they have ever been. That doesn’t mean the Jets cannot exceed expectations and enjoy a surprisingly successful season, but excitement and optimism will be limited until the team proves anything on the field.
There isn’t much the Jets can do about it, though. This is the unfortunate predicament they find themselves in.
Typically, 3-14 teams with no franchise quarterback enjoy the luxury of landing their hopeful savior in the ensuing draft. Unfortunately for the Jets, the 2026 draft features just one quarterback who is considered to be worthy of a top-10 pick, Fernando Mendoza, and even with three victories, the Jets won too many games to earn the right to draft him.
That does not mean the Jets cannot leave the 2026 draft without a young quarterback who brings upside and optimism to the building. They could take a shot on Alabama’s Ty Simpson earlier than anyone expects, or roll the dice on a high-ceiling project like Drew Allar in the second or third round.
For now, though, the Jets’ options at the quarterback position appear bleak. The next few weeks will provide answers regarding how New York plans to navigate the murky waters they’ve been swept into at the game’s most important position.