Indecision.

That’s the word describing the New York Jets’ front office’s preference for a starting quarterback in 2026. With no clear free agent available and a draft class devoid of the “can’t miss” prospect, there’s good reason why the team is as indecisive as it is.

Arizona’s Kyler Murray, Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins, Philadelphia’s Tanner McKee, and Las Vegas’ Geno Smith have all been tied to the Jets at some point this offseason.

But while many of the names listed need to be released by their teams before signing with another organization, fans of the Jets have grown weary about the potential cap situation of bringing any of these names in.

That was until the latest cap numbers came through at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

A minimum cost

What fans seem to forget about the Jets’ potential quarterback room is that, unlike other organizations around the league, they won’t have to pay an arm and a leg to acquire one.

Should a player like Murray or Cousins be released by their respective teams (an expectation), the Jets would be on the hook to sign them to just the league minimum in 2026.

That means the team wouldn’t need to worry about allocating $40 million to veterans on the open market. They could instead use some of those potential savings to address the wide receiver position and entice each veteran to come to Florham Park.

One reason why a player like Cousins could want to come to New York is due to their offensive line — a group that finished in the top 10 last season in both pass protection and run grades.

The updated contract numbers change the game for New York. It gives new meaning to taking a flyer on failed veterans from other teams and relying on them as stopgaps for an eventual upgrade in the 2027 draft.

All the Jets have to do is entice one of these vets to come to New York. Although that’s admittedly easier said than done.

Jets QB room

It won’t be hard to find a quarterback who will be considered an upgrade in 2026. New York started three different ones last season and failed to record over 100 passing yards in four games. They couldn’t record over 150 passing yards in nine games.

Unsurprisingly, the Jets ranked last in passing offense last season.

New York’s free agent plans should provide solace to fans across the country. Sure, a Murray or Cousins-led offense won’t inspire confidence that the team was about to end a 15-year playoff drought, but could either quarterback be more competent than Fields?

Chances are, the answer is yes.

The Jets won’t just be moving on from Fields so thoughtlessly.

Sources say the team will be acquiring multiple veteran options over the next month before drafting a quarterback in April. It may not be a high pick, but the position will be addressed in the 2026 draft.

All the team can hope for is that, with competent quarterback play, the win total should rise. For their head coach and general manager, that would mean an additional year to carry out their plan.

At least, that’s the hope.