The New York Jets are still searching for a quarterback after Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields each failed to provide answers to the franchise in back-to-back seasons. They struck out in free agency with two of their top targets signing elsewhere. One NFL insider has detailed the Jets’ plans if they lived in a perfect world.
New York Jets Need a Quarterback
The Jets came into free agency hoping to land one of the big fish at quarterback, but instead were beaten out by a division rival.
Malik Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins for three years to be their answer at quarterback. Gardner Minshew is in Arizona. Marcus Mariota chose to re-sign with the Washington Commanders.
The Jets are like the cheese from the famous children’s song. They stand alone, without a quarterback to call their own. Connor Hughes of SNY took to “Jets Final Drive” to discuss where he thinks they will go next after missing out on some of the top free agents.
“The things I keep hearing over and over again is that the perfect world for the Jets, they get Geno Smith and they got Carson Wentz,” Hughes said. “Absolutely one of the two, but those two guys are who they want. And they’re both still available.”
Wentz spent time in Minnesota last season as J.J. McCarthy’s backup before making five starts and being lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
Injuries have plagued Wentz’s career, but he has a track record of success, most notably when he helped lead the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Wentz watched from the sidelines as Nick Foles led the Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.
“The things I keep hearing over and over again is that the perfect world for the Jets – they get Geno Smith and they got Carson Wentz, that’s their quarterback room. Absolutely one of the two, but those two guys are who they want. And they’re both still available.” -… pic.twitter.com/RMtAZ2Terp
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) March 9, 2026
Wentz has bounced around the NFL as a backup after falling out of favor in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. His best days are likely behind him, but he could provide some stability. Wentz amassed a PFSN NFL QB Impact score of 72.1 in his five games with the Vikings. That’s not going to win him the league MVP award, but it is solid, if unspectacular.
Geno Smith Would Be a Homecoming for the Jets
The other option mentioned would be a homecoming event. Geno Smith spent the first four years of his career with the Jets before falling out of favor and bouncing around the league with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers as a backup before finding his footing in Seattle.
Smith was in Seattle from 2019 to 2024 and guided them to the playoffs in 2022 before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders after the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold following the 2024 season.
Things did not go well for Smith in Las Vegas. He struggled behind a porous offensive line, and the Raiders released him before the start of the new league year.
Smith compiled a QBI score of 68.8 during the year and threw 17 interceptions compared to just 19 touchdowns in 15 games. Options for the Jets are not great at the moment, but they’re looking for veteran options to improve on their dreadful first season under Aaron Glenn.
