After two seasons, the Aaron Rodgers experience is coming to an end.
Gang Green is expected to part ways with Rodgers, according to several reports.
With Rodgers no longer under center, the Jets will be on a quest to find their next quarterback this offseason. New coach Aaron Glenn already knows what he wants in a quarterback.
“A winner,” Glenn said following his introductory press conference last month. “Mental and physical toughness.”
Although Glenn has specific attributes he looks for in a quarterback, the choices between free agency and the draft are slim. But let’s look at the potential avenues the Jets could use to find a quarterback.
IN-HOUSE OPTION: TYROD TAYLOR
The Jets’ top quarterback option could already be in the building. Tyrod Taylor was signed to a two-year contract last offseason to be Rodgers’ backup. Rodgers ended up playing all 17 games, and Taylor only played in two games, in which the Jets lost by multiple scores against the 49ers and Bills.
Taylor, 35, could be a solid option as the Jets bridge quarterback. He’s a 14-year veteran who played in seven different organizations.
Although he has played decently in his 58 career starts, Taylor has been injury-prone and hasn’t started more than six games since he was the Bills’ starting quarterback in 2017.
If the Jets go with Taylor as their starter, they must pair him with another veteran and possibly a young quarterback to groom in case he suffers an injury. Gang Green selected Jordan Travis in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Travis missed last season after fracturing and dislocating his ankle while at Florida State in 2023.
IF RELEASED: KIRK COUSINS, DEREK CARR
Kirk Cousins could be a cheap option for the Jets. But that’s assuming the Falcons release him before the start of the new league year.
Last offseason, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract despite his Achilles tear in 2023. But the veteran quarterback looked like a shell of himself after passing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 14 games.
The Falcons benched Cousins for rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the season’s final three games. Although the Falcons have said they would be comfortable keeping Cousins as Penix’s backup, he would be the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL.
If Cousins, 36, is on the Falcons roster after March 16, he would be guaranteed $10 million in 2026 in addition to the $27.5 million he is scheduled to make next season.
Assuming Atlanta comes to its senses and releases Cousins, his next team would only have to pay the veterans minimum, which is around $1.2 million.
Like Cousins, Derek Carr’s future with the Saints is also very much in doubt. He missed seven games in 2024 due to injury, including the final four games because of fractures in his non-throwing hand.
The Saints are due to pay Carr $40 million next year, which would count $51.45 million against the salary cap. He has already told reporters he wouldn’t take a pay cut to remain with the Saints, which could lead to his release.
New Orleans is projected to be over the salary cap again this offseason, so the team will need to release players and restructure contracts. Last season, in 10 games, Carr finished with 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
FREE AGENT OPTIONS: JUSTIN FIELDS OR RUSSELL WILSON
The current free-agent options aren’t very appealing. The best free agent option could be Justin Fields, the Steelers’ backup last season.
Fields, 25, began the year as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback after acquiring him from the Bears. Russell Wilson, who was initially named Steelers starting quarterback, missed the first six games due to a calf injury.
Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record before Wilson was inserted as starting quarterback for the final 11 games. The Steelers made the playoffs but lost five straight games to end the season with Wilson under center.
If the Steelers let Fields and/or Wilson walk, the Jets could potentially target one of them in free agency.
THE 2025 NFL DRAFT
The good news is that there are two draft-eligible quarterbacks who could be starters in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The bad news is that the Jets aren’t in a position to draft either of those players.
Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are expected to be off the draft board by the time the Jets pick seventh in April’s draft. The 2025 NFL Draft has an abundance of talent, but not at the quarterback position.
A year after six quarterbacks were taken with the first 12 picks, only two could go in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. That would leave the Jets to select a developmental project, such as Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, or Ohio State’s Will Howard, in rounds 2 or 3 of the draft.