Kyler to NY? 5 vet QBs the Jets could target in 2026

The perpetually quarterback-needy New York Jets are armed with the necessary assets to nab whichever passer they’d please in one of the next two offseasons.

On top of their current trajectory for the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Jets nabbed three future first-round picks and one future second-round pick at the trade deadline. It brings New York to eight picks within the first two rounds of the next two drafts.

With their sparkling trove of trade chips, the Jets can swing a deal for just about any signal-caller they’d like, whether it entails moving up the draft board or selling the farm for a veteran.

The entire world is aware that New York is in the quarterback market. What remains to be seen is when the Jets will make their aggressive push. While they have two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, they have three in 2027. If the Jets don’t like the 2026 quarterback class, they could punt their quarterback pursuit to the following draft, which is projected to be a stronger class.

Either way, the Jets will find themselves in the market for a veteran quarterback this offseason.

Whether it’s a backup, stopgap, or even someone with the potential to be “the guy,” the Jets will likely add a quarterback before the draft.

Here are some veteran options for New York to consider at different tiers of value.

Jimmy Garoppolo (UFA)

Jimmy Garoppolo made a name for himself in Kyle Shanahan’s system, which shares many of the same characteristics as Tanner Engstrand’s Jets offense. Both are run-first systems predicated upon using the play-action passing game to attack the intermediate range.

Those intermediate passes are where Garoppolo has thrived in his career. He’s never been mobile (and is even less so at this age), and his deep game is non-existent, but he can consistently hit in-breakers with timing and precision.

Garoppolo would be a solid veteran backup who fits the system and provides mentorship for any potential young quarterback added in the draft.

Marcus Mariota (UFA)

If the Jets want to maintain the QB rushing threat as a focal point of their offense, they could turn to Marcus Mariota as a backup or stopgap. At 32 years old, he is still a plus runner for the position, averaging five carries for 29 rushing yards across three starts this season.

Mariota remains a high-tier backup. Across the last two seasons in Washington, he has posted 10 total touchdowns to five turnovers, a 98.1 passer rating, and 6.3 net yards per attempt.

Mac Jones (Trade)

Mac Jones has turned his career around with a strong run in San Francisco as Brock Purdy’s backup. Across seven starts, Jones has led the 49ers to a 5-2 record, posting a 61.2 QBR, 6.5 net yards per attempt, and 0.129 adjusted EPA per play.

The caveat is that he’s done it under Kyle Shanahan, who has made many a middling quarterback look efficient in his scheme. Still, as we discussed with Garoppolo, the Jets’ scheme carries many similarities to San Francisco’s, so Jones projects as a solid fit in New York.

The 49ers signed Jones to a two-year, $8.4 million contract this offseason, so he would have to be acquired via trade. However, with a base salary of just $2.8 million in 2026, he’s an extremely appealing quarterback to trade for. A team like the Jets could try him out for one year at a dirt-cheap price tag without committing to him long-term.

It’s an especially appealing setup for the Jets’ salary-cap situation. New York is already due to pay $35 million in dead money for Aaron Rodgers in 2026. If they release Justin Fields, they will owe another $22 million in dead money (reduced to $13 million if he is released with a post-June 1 designation, spreading $9 million in dead money to 2027).

With the possibility of spending up to $57 million for Rodgers and Fields to play elsewhere in 2026, the Jets may not be eager to spend much money at quarterback. That adds significant appeal to the idea of trading for Jones’ cheap contract.

Kyler Murray (Trade)

Whether the Jets should pursue Kyler Murray demands its own article, but he’s worth bringing up here since the rumors are certain to intensify in the coming months.

Murray was recently put on injured reserve due to a foot injury, although it has been speculated that Arizona used the injury as an excuse to give Murray a “soft benching.” The former No. 1 overall pick has been outplayed by his backup, Jacoby Brissett.

In 2022, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with Arizona, which including $159.8 million guaranteed. He is currently in the third season of that deal.

Murray’s contract is extremely tradeable. A deal would entail a relatively low dead-money hit for Arizona while allowing the acquiring team to take him on at a fairly low cap hit with minimal risk.

If dealt this offseason, the Cardinals would save $35.3 million in cap space while eating $17.9 million in dead money. Arizona would pay off Murray’s remaining guaranteed bonuses. The acquiring team would absorb his remaining base salaries of $22.8 million in 2026 and $19.5 million in 2027, along with a $17 million roster bonus in 2026 that already became guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2025 league year.

Murray also has a $14.2 million roster bonus for 2027, but that isn’t due until the fifth league day of 2027. This means the acquiring team could get out of his deal after the 2026 season with zero ramifications.

Essentially, a team could trade for Murray to get him on a one-year, $39.8 million tryout.

Food for thought.

Joe Burrow (Trade)

This idea is absurd at the moment, but it’s generated buzz in recent days following New York’s trades, so it’s worth throwing out there. After all, the idea of Aaron Rodgers leaving Green Bay for New York once seemed outrageous. We have to entertain all possibilities.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter speculated that Burrow could look to force his way out of the bleak situation in Cincinnati.

“How do you think Joe Burrow feels about the Bengals defense and the offensive line that’s protecting him?” Schefter said. “That’s where it gets interesting, because if that’s what he wants, and we have no idea what he wants, but if that’s what he wants, it’s over.

“Any player, when they’re determined enough, if they want out, they’re gonna get out.”

If the Bengals trade a 29-year-old quarterback who led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns in his most recent healthy season, it would arguably be the biggest trade in NFL history, potentially yielding the most lucrative return.

If there’s any team that has the necessary combination of draft picks and desperation to make that kind of offer, it’s the squad in Florham Park.

This idea remains too far-fetched to warrant further discussion until there’s more fire to the smoke, but if it becomes a legitimate possibility, the Jets will be at the front of the line.