The New York Jets took a big step on Wednesday, as head coach Robert Saleh decided to bench former No. 2 overall quarterback Zach Wilson for Mike White. Saleh said at his press conference that it’s not the end of Wilson’s career in New York, and that he will play again this season, but what about next year?
The quarterback position is the most important in football, and the Jets won despite their flagman. Wilson has completed 55.6% of his passes for 1,279 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games played this season. Has the fewest passing touchdowns in 20 career starts of any active quarterback (13), has never had more than two passing touchdowns in a single game, and has more games under 100 yards passing than 300 passing yards.
This Jets team looks great on paper in many areas. The large receiving body of Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Braxton Berrios and Elijah Moore has potential, and the defense, led by Quinnen Williams and rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner, has been very impressive. At 6-4, now is the time for the Jets to step up and win some games, so they can make the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 campaign.
What could the Jets do to upgrade to quarterback this offseason, if they choose to do so? Below we will explore this.
Let’s start with the sexiest option. In fact, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin has the Jets as Landing point #2 if Rodgers were to leave Green Bay. The reigning NFL MVP just signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Green Bay Packers, but he has some control over where he plays going forward. Rodgers doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but the Packers would obviously have to agree on where they would send him. Given how the past two offseasons have gone, I imagine Rodgers could leave the Packers if he chooses — but retirement might be the most likely outcome this offseason. Still, we know Rodgers has a wandering eye, and the non-conference Jets could be a potential landing spot — moving from one LaFleur brother to another.
There’s no doubt that the AFC East is a tough division with Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Bill Belichick, but the Jets are built to compete right now, and the addition of Rodgers would make the Jets an attractive place for agents. free. If you were curious, the Jets currently rank 17th in available cap space for 2023 with $17.15 million, per Over The Cap.
Free Agents
This upcoming offseason’s quarterback carousel isn’t a ride you’d line up for. Tom Brady is technically a free agent and Lamar Jackson is too. I don’t see either of these as legitimate options for the Jets at this point. Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are a few other names looking for new deals, but one player who stood out on this list is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers of course tried to move on from Garoppolo this offseason, but couldn’t find a business partner. It ended up being a blessing in disguise, as sophomore quarterback Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, so Jimmy G.
Garoppolo is averaging 239.9 passing yards per game this season and has thrown for 15 touchdowns against four interceptions in nine total games played while going 5-3 as a starter. Garoppolo isn’t someone who will automatically turn you into a Super Bowl contender on his own, but he is a game manager — which would make the Jets better instantly. He might also be cheaper than someone like Rodgers. It’s a pretty fascinating game to ponder.
Draft
The Jets could always sign a new quarterback. As it stands, New York has the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — which won’t allow it to take one of the best callers in the draft. That doesn’t mean the Jets won’t write one somewhere, though. Here’s CBS Sports NFL draft expert Josh Edwards on the Jets’ situation:
“New York might group a few picks to go up and get one of those big three quarterbacks (CJ Stroud from Ohio State, Bryce Young from Alabama or Will Levis from Kentucky) but they might have to get into the top five with a handful of needy quarterbacks already up there. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is the only other player I would personally consider in the first round right now. He’s a little rough around the edges, but has all the raw traits needed to to be an impact player one day. That being said, he’s more likely to return to school hoping to realize that potential. If none of those options materialize, then the Jets should look for someone one who can handle the game and limit errors. Hendon Hooker of Tennessee, Tanner McKee of Stanford, Bo Nix of Oregon and Jake Haener of Fresno State would be part of this next level which would not require lucrative investment but could help the team to produce a game that i don’t harm the team.”
