If you asked most New York Jets fans, a majority would prefer that the organization avoid drafting a quarterback in 2026. The reasoning is simple: There aren’t enough quality arms to go around.

The 2027 NFL draft class is projected to be much better (at the very least), especially if the likes of Arch Manning, Dante Moore, LaNorris Sellers, and many others declare.

Nevertheless, by no means is it a given that the Jets pass on an arm in 2026.

Outside of Heisman Trophy-winning signal-caller Fernando Mendoza — projected to be selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders — Alabama’s Ty Simpson, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Penn State’s Drew Allar are available.

With the NFL Scouting Combine just days away, New York can get a private look at the 2026 quarterback class. Fortunately for Darren Mougey and company, the two top guys have already made decisions about their workout ability next week.

QB combine decisions

It is not uncommon for presumptive top players to “skip” out on workouts in Indianapolis, especially quarterbacks. There’s a good reason for these sometimes frustrating decisions.

During workouts, signal-callers are throwing to different receivers for the first time. A “bad throw” could simply be a timing issue more than anything else.

That’s the argument Mendoza made with his latest decision not to throw in Indianapolis this week. On the Pat McAfee Show earlier in the month, the Indiana National Champion defended that very point.

“At the combine, you’re throwing to different receivers; it’s a whole different thing,” Mendoza said while on the show. “And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance. I want to throw at pro day with my guys, with my running backs, and be there with the boys.”

Simpson, though, has a different mindset entirely.

The Alabama product, widely considered the second-best quarterback in the class by most draft analysts, will throw at the Scouting Combine this week, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. His decision makes just as much sense as Mendoza’s.

With Mendoza, most analysts expect him to be the top overall pick in April’s draft — whether it’s by the Las Vegas Raiders or another team. Simpson, meanwhile, has a first-round grade from some analysts, but which city he’ll call his professional home remains very much in doubt.

Simpson can help the Jets

Some pundits have him as a top-15 pick, whereas others have him as a late first-round pick.

A strong showing in Indianapolis, though, would not only make Simpson a lock for a high first-round grade but also could even get him into top-10 overall pick conversations.

That would be great news for the Jets.

With two picks in the first 16 overall selections, the better the chance there are two quality quarterbacks in this draft, the more flexible they can be with their draft decisions. New York can choose to be more aggressive in a trade-up or stand pat and take the second-best quarterback in the class.

A strong Simpson showing would be very helpful.

The top two quarterbacks in the upcoming draft have made completely different decisions when it comes to the combine. Each had very fair reasons to do so.

For the New York Jets, the decisions made won’t necessarily affect their draft strategy, but they could definitely help their flexibility if the players performing show out in consequential ways.