The New York Jets’ quarterback story has been very unique. After years of turnover at the position, the Jets finally thought they found an elite short-term solution by trading for Aaron Rodgers.
Yet, the four-time NFL MVP only got to play one season in New York despite spending two years with the Jets after tearing his Achilles in 2023. Once Rodgers got his chance to suit up for Gang Green, he delivered just five wins. Now, the two sides are parting ways, which means the Jets need another new starting quarterback before the 2025 season kicks off.
Who could the Jets pursue? One option is to reunite Garrett Wilson with his former college QB.
Related: New York Jets predicted to turn to $150 million four-time Pro Bowl QB
New York Jets could reunite Garrett Wilson with Justin Fields
Right now, Tyrod Taylor is installed as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback for 2025. While he’s proven to be a highly capable backup who can provide some spot starts, the Jets do not want to move forward with a starting QB who will turn 36 before the season kicks off.
The Jets could find their QB of the future in the 2025 NFL Draft, where they hold the seventh overall pick. Yet, they may prefer to have a better solution on the roster before the draft kicks off, just in case they can’t land their guy.
One option, as The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt predicts, is for the Jets to sign Justin Fields, who was Garrett Wilson’s college quarterback with the Ohio State Buckeyes. In fact, Rosenblatt says “there’s been a lot of buzz” about the Jets targeting Fields in free agency this offseason.
“There has been a lot of buzz about the prospect of the Jets going after Fields and it makes some sense — he’s young (25), mobile and might have some untapped potential, even if he’s been inconsistent as a thrower in the NFL.
The Athletic on New York Jets’ QB plans
The most likely outcome for Fields this summer is that a team like the Jets gives him a one- or two-year prove-it type deal loaded with incentives, which would give him a shot at a bigger payday (a la Darnold) in a year or two. Fields has a history with Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (they played together at Ohio State) and New York will have the cap space to sign him if they’re bidding against other teams — which sounds like a real possibility.”
Taking a shot at quarterbacks with untapped potential feels like the new trend in the NFL, and that may be the exact route the Jets have to take this offseason unless they can convince someone like Sam Darnold to return to the ghostyard at MetLife Stadium.
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