Report: Jets to be in free agent market for new starting QB ahead 2026

· Yahoo Sports

The New York Jets are coming off a 3-14 season in the 2025 campaign, one of the worst seasons in franchise history, as they're still rebuilding for their next playoff-level team. New York indicated that they needed a complete reset last season by trading away cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but it looks like the Jets want some stability at the quarterback position.

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"The Jets will be in on the group of quarterbacks who were cut by other teams and have significant money left on their contracts, which makes them much cheaper to sign (as in, they’ll likely be signed for the minimum salary, $1.3 million)," The Athletic wrote when giving his take on how New York will address the quarterback spot.

Last season, the Jets relied on the combination of Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook as the signal-callers, but that group didn't work out as expected.

"That includes Kyler Murray, Geno Smith and, if/when he’s cut, Tua Tagovailoa. Smith feels like the early favorite, and many sources around the league expect Murray to land in Minnesota, though that’s not 100 percent locked in. Malik Willis is expected to be too expensive for the Jets’ taste. I would not expect the Jets to pursue Derek Carr at this juncture either."

When it comes to Geno Smith, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday that the Las Vegas Raiders are releasing him as they're trying to clear the way for presumed first overall pick in Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Once Smith becomes a free-agent, there is a possibility that he could come back to the team that drafted him with a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

However, there is a chance that the Jets could be looking elsewhere as SNY's Connor Hughes reported on Friday that Carson Wentz is the preferred signal-caller for offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Wentz and Reich have worked together during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts so if head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are on board, Wentz could be an option as well.

The Jets have the second and 16th overall picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft so there is a possibility that they take a quarterback in the first round, such as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who many expect to be the other quarterback taken in the first round. With the 2026 NFL league year beginning on Mar. 11, Jets fans won't have to wait long to see what their team does through free-agency and the trade market.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Report: Jets to be in free agent market for new starting QB ahead 2026

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