All apparent roads lead to Carson Wentz — even if the case for Kyler Murray is sound.
The New York Jets haven’t made a decision on who they want to be their starting quarterback in 2026. Many names have been linked to the team, including Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett, and even Tua Tagovailoa.
One name drew the ire of most Jets fans Friday morning, though, and he has a personal relationship with New York’s offensive coordinator.
Carson Wentz, one of Frank Reich’s quarterbacks during his time as the Indianapolis Colts head coach.
SNY’s Connor Hughes reported on Friday that there is “interest” in Wentz and that Reich “prefers” him.
“Wentz might surprise some, because of the notion Frank Reich/Wentz relationship fell apart in Indianapolis,” Hughes wrote. “From my understanding, that was more GM/owner, not coach. The two remain very close. One source told me that the QB Reich prefers is Wentz. A quote from another: ‘No one loves Wentz more than Frank.’”
Is the former second-overall pick and MVP candidate damaged goods? Can Reich save Wentz’s career despite failing to do so just a few years prior?
The Wentz of it all
To understand what the Jets are considering with Wentz, one has to start from the beginning. The North Dakota State prospect was picked second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles and developed into an MVP candidate in just his second year.
Analysts had tied Wentz’s rise to a pre-Mahomes era, citing his ability to make plays outside the pocket, his big arm, and his huge frame.
As we all know, everything changed in Los Angeles. Wentz tore his ACL. Nick Foles took over in Philadelphia and helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl. A
fter the win, Wentz has seemingly changed, attitude-wise. He reported that he wanted to win his way, and that was against the “Nick Foles” style of offense. A broken back the following year, and another playoff run from Foles hurt his mental side even more.
By the time his run ended in Philadelphia, Wentz was banged up and had anonymous sources criticizing his leadership and locker room attitude.
Some of it, Jets X-Factor can confirm, was fabricated. Some of the rumors and reports were born from reality. The psychological damage done by his two injuries, plus watching his backup go on deep playoff runs, affected Wentz.
He was never the same player.
Recent stops in Indianapolis, Washington, Los Angeles, and even Kansas City — where he watched the quarterback who replaced him in Philly win a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP just two years ago — have left analysts wondering if we have seen the last of Wentz.
There may not be a quarterback in NFL history as unlucky as him, either. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him walk away.
However, the Jets could offer something no team in the NFL currently has.
Jets’ QB options
There are two trains of thought for Gang Green this season: Either the team tries to compete with a large amount of cap space and quality draft picks, or they continue to punt the tank debate into 2027.
For head coach Aaron Glenn, a decision to tank next season could very well cost him his job. It makes sense for the team to win as many games as soon as possible.
Of course, the natural question then becomes, “How can the team compete if they end up choosing Wentz to be their starter at the end of the day?”
Wentz is a notorious big-play quarterback. He will always make one to three “wow plays” that have you thinking he’s worth taking a flier on.
With those plays comes one of the worst pocket presences in football. He holds onto the ball longer than most would prefer, and that gets him into trouble with fumbles and errant throws.
More importantly, talks of comparisons to Brett Favre early in his career have left him searching for the big play even when it isn’t there. That’s where turnovers have come to bite him. (He’s had interception rates over three percent in four of his last six seasons.)
New York doesn’t have great quarterback choices this offseason. A Carson Wentz-Frank Reich reunion smells like the New York Jets understand the state of their current rebuilding process: a far-below-average team looking to build a foundation that could lead to success.