Andrew Buller-Russ
Last year, when the New York Jets determined that they weren’t going to move forward with Aaron Rodgers, it was obvious that they needed a new starting quarterback. The Jets decided to take a chance on former first-round pick Justin Fields. He was signed to a two-year, $40 million contract, and now he could be forced out after one season.
For the second year in a row, the Jets need a new franchise quarterback. Yet, as Jets fans know all too well, it may be hard to find out, especially this year.
There’s one quarterback widely projected to be a first-round pick (Fernando Mendoza), and barring a shocking surprise, he’s expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick. Meanwhile, the Jets have the No. 2 overall pick and a clear need at QB, but no one worthy of the selection.
Though, according to Jets general manager Darren Mougey, New York will be “absolutely” be trying to trade for the top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Jets fans shouldn’t get their hopes up dreaming of drafting Mendoza, because as Mougey said, “I don’t think that’s happening.” Unless, of course, Mendoza takes the wild advice of one of the teams he spoke to at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“Absolutely, we’ll talk about all those things, but I don’t think that’s happening,” Mougey said.
Mougey and Raiders general manager John Spytek are still friends from their days of working together on the Broncos. But just because they’re old buddies doesn’t mean Spytek will be doing the Jets any favors for the upcoming NFL draft. In other words, the Jets will have to find their next QB elsewhere.
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