FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In his first personnel transfer because the New York Jets’ coach, Aaron Glenn fired quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In his newest quarterback determination, Glenn benched Rodgers’ alternative, Justin Fields, signaling the most-likely finish to the group’s $30 million gambit after 10 video games.
An NFL head coach does not have an limitless provide of mulligans, however Glenn will likely be afforded one other swing to unravel the riddle that has confounded the franchise since Joe Namath performed his final recreation 50 years in the past.
The following one is the large one. It would doubtless come within the type of a excessive draft choose (in 2026 or 2027) or maybe a commerce for a veteran.
What occurred Monday — Glenn knowledgeable the workforce that Fields will likely be changed by Tyrod Taylor — merely confirms the Jets (2-8) may have two lame-duck quarterbacks for the rest of the season. It felt inevitable. Heck, Glenn virtually made the swap 4 weeks in the past after pulling Fields in a dreadful loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Whereas New York will put together for its closing seven video games, the long-term focus shifts to the offseason — when the Jets are anticipated to reset their quarterback depth chart. Sure, Fields is underneath contract for 2026 ($20 million wage, half of which is assured), nevertheless it’s exhausting to think about him as a part of the plan. Taylor, 36, will likely be a free agent.
So there is a good probability the Jets will begin over, with a veteran and a rookie. They’ve a surplus of first-round draft picks, because of the latest Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades — two in 2026, three in 2027.
First, this query have to be requested: Can the individuals who received it so incorrect with Fields get it proper with the subsequent one?
Glenn and normal supervisor Darren Mougey will likely be charged with the large determination, simply as Joe Douglas was in 2021 (Zach Wilson) and Mike Maccagnan was in 2018 (Sam Darnold).
Neither one labored out. The Jets have a historical past of that, in case you did not know. Glenn and Mougey may have an opportunity to alter the trajectory of the franchise, which has suffered by 14 straight non-playoff seasons, largely, due to quarterback instability.
On the time, their pondering on Fields went like this: With seasoning and sound teaching, he can outperform his spotty NFL observe document and push his method into long-term dialog. Certain, they knew it was a recreation of probability, like hoping to discover a successful lottery ticket, however they preferred the risk-reward ratio.
“What have been their choices?” a longtime personnel government mentioned. “Rodgers did not make sense and Fields, was the arrow nonetheless pointing up? I believe so, so I am not going to beat them up for it.”
Earlier than the season, Mougey subscribed to the idea that Fields might be the subsequent Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold — late-developing former excessive picks.
“I do consider Justin will be a type of guys,” Mougey mentioned.
However, right here we’re.
Pairing Fields with Tanner Engstrand, an inexperienced offensive coordinator from a drop-back system, hasn’t labored out. That Fields has failed because the Jets’ starter is not blockbuster information (since 2021, he is thirty third out of 38 certified passers in Whole QBR); that he failed so spectacularly is what ought to increase concern.
So now they’ve choices galore, establishing what figures to be a multi-layered technique that might stretch into 2027. Their avenues embrace:
The 2026 draft. Simply the Jets’ luck, there isn’t any super-elite prospect among the many prime quarterbacks, in response to expertise evaluators.
Dante Moore (Oregon), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Ty Simpson (Alabama) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) are ranked first, second, fifth and twenty first, respectively, on ESPN senior draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s newest Huge Board. They’re all underclassmen, and there is a feeling that Moore and Simpson might return to highschool for extra seasoning.
Mougey has scouted Mendoza and Moore in individual this fall. In truth, he witnessed Mendoza’s dramatic, game-winning drive towards Penn State. Presently, the Jets maintain the fifth choose within the draft, however they’ve the draft capital to commerce up in the event that they’re smitten with one of many prime prospects.
2026 free company. Two phrases — slim pickings. The one starter eligible totally free company is Daniel Jones, who doubtless will likely be retained by the Indianapolis Colts. The remaining are backup sorts; you would be hard-pressed to seek out even a bridge starter among the many group.
2026 commerce market. Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Mac Jones are the names to observe. Joe Burrow has been bandied about on speak reveals and such, however that looks as if a pipe dream. Jones, who has resurrected his profession in Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly offense, is probably the most intriguing possibility. As Brock Purdy’s damage alternative, Jones is 5-3 with the San Francisco 49ers. Perhaps he’d match as a one- or two-year rental, permitting the Jets to attend till 2027 to draft their long-term answer.
In that sense, Jones could be like Fields. He’d even be the third Jets quarterback from the 2021 first spherical, becoming a member of Wilson and Fields.
Cousins, who has changed injured Atlanta Falcons starter Michael Penix Jr. may have a chance to enhance his worth to the league. In 2018, the Jets made an unsuccessful free-agent bid for Cousins, which can have chafed some emotions within the group.
Proper now, the Jets are in quarterback hell. They have been frequent guests to this place. Perhaps they need to’ve drafted one within the second or third spherical final spring, creating some hope. Perhaps they need to’ve taken Jaxson Dart within the first spherical. They opted to go all-in with Fields.
If the Jets reduce Fields after the season, they must soak up $22 million in lifeless cap expenses. They’re nonetheless paying off their debt from the ill-fated Rodgers mistake — $35 million in lifeless cap for 2026. Do the mathematics: That may be $57 million for absent quarterbacks.
It doesn’t matter what, the Jets are headed for a complete rebuild at quarterback.
