We\u2019re just days away from the start of the new league year in the NFL, and the New York Jets still don\u2019t have a quarterback.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s to be expected, of course. Free agents cannot agree to deals for a few more days. <\/p>\n
Still, for a Jets squad that was dead last in the league in all passing categories last season, stating the obvious feels more than worthy. Finding a new signal-caller will be a key focus this year.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the options available to them aren\u2019t exactly brimming with confidence.<\/p>\n
Jets\u2019 QB option tiers<\/p>\n
New York has plenty of cap space and is expected to be drafting a signal-caller at some point in the 2026 NFL draft<\/a>. Pairing a rookie with a proven veteran (or two) will be a key focus for the team this offseason.<\/p>\n And there are plenty of available options.<\/p>\n Best of a Bad Bunch Tier: Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins<\/p>\n There is no high-ceiling quarterback available on the open market for the Jets at the moment. This group, though, is the best of a bad bunch and should be able to help lead the team to competence. <\/p>\n Whether that\u2019s seven, eight, or nine wins depends on the type of team New York surrounds them with.<\/p>\n Each player listed here has boom-or-bust potential. Malik Willis hasn\u2019t been a full-time starter in the league, Cousins is nearing the end of his career, and the combination of Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa will be released within the coming days.<\/p>\n Each quarterback is a significant upgrade to what the Jets previously had. And if the team wants to compete in 2026, this is the route they should go<\/a>. <\/p>\n Quality Dice Roll Tier: Jacoby Brissett, Derek Carr<\/p>\n Jacoby Brissett and Derek Carr are two quarterbacks with starting experience whose ceilings are far lower than those of the first group. Brissett played well in Arizona last season, albeit on a bad Cardinals roster.<\/p>\n Carr, meanwhile, has been away from the game but is contemplating a return. Both of these quarterbacks should be able to play well in a Jets offense that receives a boost of talent at wide receiver. <\/p>\n The ceiling, though, is arguably around six or seven wins regardless. <\/p>\n The Matt Schaub Tier: Tanner McKee, Tyson Bagent<\/p>\n Matt Schaub was a backup quarterback to Mike Vick before becoming a full-time starter and quality quarterback with the Houston Texans. The Jets do have a couple of young signal-callers who have been backups and could provide a similar jolt to Schaub.<\/p>\n Philadelphia\u2019s Tanner McKee and Chicago\u2019s Tyson Bagent have seen their markets increase in recent years, yet they are nothing more than clipboard holders for their team\u2019s starters.<\/p>\n The time may be right for either quarterback to get a chance to be \u201cthe guy\u201d for a franchise \u2014 particularly in the McKee-Stanford connection case<\/a> \u2014 even with the gamble that comes with it.<\/p>\n What are we Doing Here? Tier: Geno Smith, Marcus Mariota<\/p>\n New York knows what it has with Geno Smith. After a career resurrection in Seattle, Smith led the league in interceptions last season on a Raiders squad that was the worst in football. <\/p>\n Moving to the Jets doesn\u2019t really help the team must in 2026.<\/p>\n As for Marcus Mariota, the journeyman is nothing more than a career backup. If the Jets were going to bring in a rookie like Dante Moore, a move like this makes sense. But Mariota\u2019s RPO-heavy scheme needs are different than what Reich has fundamentally wanted to do for years.<\/p>\n Neither addition should inspire much confidence if they come as starters. <\/p>\n The Justin Fields of Nick Foles Tier: Carson Wentz<\/p>\n