Andrew Buller-Russ
Last year, the New York Jets took a free agency gamble on former first-round quarterback Justin Fields with a two-year, $40 million contract. After leading the Jets to a woeful 2-7 record, the Jets may be ready to move on from Fields this offseason.
Whether the Jets move on from Fields or keep the 27-year-old on the roster, they’ll still need to add another quarterback or two. But who?
Recently, The Athletic‘s Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt took a crack at predicting New York’s QB situation for 2026. According to Rosenblatt, two-time Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith is the current “favorite” to join the Jets this offseason.
“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). 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.”
The Athletic on New York Jets QB situation
Smith, who’s expected to be released by the Raiders, could be a good fit for the Jets, being that he’ll likely be a low-cost option. Plus, Smith has already spent four seasons with the Jets, but that was during his early NFL days, including his rookie season.
Now 35, Smith may be ready to head back to New York, where he’ll surely be part of a QB competition, possibly one that includes a 2026 draft pick. Right now, the only other quarterback on the Jets’ roster besides Fields is 2025 undrafted signee Brady Cook. They also have 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker, who can be brought back as a restricted free agent.
Smith is coming off arguably the worst season of his career, leading the NFL with 17 interceptions while leading the Raiders to a 2-13 record. Yet, it’s possible he just needs a change of scenery, and the Jets may be ready to provide it.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 Projections Before NFL Free Agency
