The New York Jets did not anticipate turning the key of the offense over to embattled former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson four snaps into their 2023 season.
But that’s likely the scenario they find themselves in with Aaron Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Monday night’s season-opening win against Buffalo. In the wake of Rodgers’ injury, SportsBetting.ag released odds of the next quarterback the Jets will sign or trade for.
Other than a terrible read on an interception, Wilson managed the offense efficiently in completing 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. He was primarily tasked with protecting the football and completed only two passes of 20-plus yards.
The Jets don’t currently have another quarterback on their 53-man roster. Tim Boyle is on the practice squad but is not a season-long answer at quarterback, meaning the Jets will likely turn to the free agent and/or trade markets to provide competition for Wilson.
The book released odds on 24 potential candidates, ranging everywhere from a previous Super Bowl winner to the cheeky option of a former Heisman Trophy winner and current broadcaster.
Topping the list is Nick Foles at +300. The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after playing for Indianapolis last season but did lead Philadelphia to a victory in Super Bowl LII. That was the season he was an injury replacement for Carson Wentz, another free agent who appears on the list at +1200.
Another free agent option could be Colt McCoy, the 37-year-old journeyman who was expected to open the season as Arizona’s starter until he was released during final roster cuts.
If the Jets explore trade options, there are numerous veteran backups with starting experience. However, they’d likely have to target those who aren’t currently with AFC teams that consider the Jets a direct threat this season.
The shortest odds in the trade market belong to a pair of current backups in New Orleans. Jameis Winston (+350) is the primary backup to Derek Carr, while the Saints also have super-utilityman Taysom Hill (+500) as an option. Winston opened at +2200 shortly after Rodgers went down Monday night but had become the second favorite by the time the Jets confirmed the severity of the injury Tuesday.
Two more interesting options currently ply their trade in Texas. Davis Mills (+600) lost his starting job with the Texans to rookie C.J. Stroud, while Cooper Rush (+1000) proved very capable in winning four of the five starts he made for the Cowboys in place of Dak Prescott last season.
The Jets were considered a strong Super Bowl contender entering the season, which naturally raises the debate about whether Tom Brady would come out of retirement. For now, that possibility remains a remote +2000 option at SportsBetting.ag.
NEXT QB SIGNED/ACQUIRED BY JETS ODDS
Nick Foles (+300)
Jameis Winston (+350)
Colt McCoy (+400)
Taysom Hill (+500)
Davis Mills (+600)
Cooper Rush (+1000)
Carson Wentz (+1200)
Teddy Bridgewater (+1400)
Taylor Heinicke (+1600)
Case Keenum (+1800)
Marcus Mariota (+1800)
Tom Brady (+2000)
Jacoby Brissett (+2500)
Josh Johnson (+2500)
Mason Rudolph (+2800)
Joe Flacco (+3300)
Tyrod Taylor (+4000)
Andy Dalton (+3500)
Gardner Minshew (+4000)
Matt Ryan (+5000)
Russell Wilson (+7500)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (+7500)
Andrew Luck (+10000)
Tim Tebow (+15000)
–Field Level Media