At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the New York Jets have a quarterback problem.
According to multiple reports, Aaron Rodgers may be on his way out of New York before the 2025 season. Those reports indicate that team owner Woody Johnson and the veteran quarterback are considering moving on after this season ends.
Rodgers first came over to New York in a 2023 trade but missed all but four plays last year after rupturing his Achilles in Week 1. Finally playing in his first full season for the Jets, the former Packer and four-time MVP has led his new team to a 3-8 record, just above the New England Patriots for last place in the AFC East.
If Rodgers and the Jets do part ways, the team will have to pivot to its 11th starting quarterback since drafting Sam Darnold in 2018.
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New York has a few choices for next year in that scenario.
One option is drafting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Given that the Jets hold the No. 7 overall pick, they’d likely have to settle for a second-tier quarterback prospect (i.e., not Miami’s Cam Ward nor Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders).
Another option is signing a veteran bridge quarterback in free agency. With this move, New York likely wouldn’t be in a competitive, playoff-contending position, but a veteran could bring experience and leadership to the locker room. Signing the right veteran also brings in a valuable mentor for a rookie taken in the 2026 draft (Arch Manning? Nico Iamaleava?)
Finally, the Jets could stick with their in-house options, of which a couple are signed on for 2025 but aren’t Rodgers.
Here are some of the Jets’ quarterback options for 2025:
Jets QB options: 2025 NFL draft
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Milroe is one of the top options in the 2025 NFL draft, not named Ward or Sanders. He’s a dual-threat quarterback with the arm talent to make plays all over the length and width of the field and the running talent to extend plays and thrive on designed quarterback runs.
While his ceiling is among the highest of any prospect in this year’s draft class, Milroe still needs some development as a passer. He has trouble navigating the pocket because of poor footwork, and his play and decision-making can suffer from an over-reliance on his legs and athleticism.
The Jets currently have neither a general manager nor a head coach, but hiring the right staff would be crucial in bringing out the best in Milroe’s skill set. The Eagles’ success with Jalen Hurts would be a good example for the Jets to follow with the current Alabama starter.
Carson Beck, Georgia
Entering the 2024 college football season, Beck was the leader in the metaphorical clubhouse regarding quarterback prospects. Since then, defenses around college football have identified and exploited his weaknesses, leaving Beck’s draft stock in shambles.
There is still plenty to like about the Georgia quarterback and his struggles in 2024 give the Jets a better shot at drafting the young signal-caller. Beck is largely a pocket passer but can make plays with his legs when asked to, and he has the arm talent necessary to succeed.
Beck’s decision-making and hesitance to make certain throws have caused issues this year. When Beck is pressured, those problems can escalate quickly. That’s why Beck, like Milroe, could benefit from some extra time to develop after arriving in the pros, especially if the Jets can use that extra time to build up a shaky offensive line.
Jets QB options: Free agency/in-house
Tyrod Taylor/Jordan Travis
Taylor is the journeyman veteran backup option the Jets have under contract for one more season. Travis is the fifth-round flier the Jets drafted this year. He has yet to practice with the team as he recovers from the leg injury he suffered to end his college career.
Between the two, Taylor is the more likely option to start in 2025, even if he’s just a bridge option for a rookie quarterback. He’s played in one game for the Jets this year, a brief appearance in Week 1 in relief of Rodgers. He completed six of his eight pass attempts for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Travis has an outside shot at being a contributor for the 2025 Jets, but he’ll need an impressive offseason and training camp to earn it. This year is essentially a medical red-shirt year for the rookie, and as a leftover asset from an old regime, the Florida State product will have to prove he’s worthy of sticking around.
Russell Wilson
Besides Sam Darnold, Wilson may be the top free-agent quarterback on the market this offseason.
There’s a chance the veteran quarterback doesn’t even hit the market, given his run of success with the Pittsburgh Steelers so far this season. Wilson is 4-1 in five starts with a 63.1% completion rate, 1,212 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions.
His days as a true dual-threat quarterback are mostly behind him as he prepares for his 36th birthday on Friday, but his ability to make plays with a quality receiving corps is still there. However, New York must build up its offensive line to help Wilson succeed, as the veteran has struggled when under pressure with his third team.
Andy Dalton
Teams planning to draft a young quarterback in the near future have loved having Dalton around. The 2021 Bears signed the ‘Red Rifle’ before drafting Justin Fields, and the 2023 Panthers brought in the three-time Pro Bowler before drafting Bryce Young with the first overall pick.
Dalton will be a free agent this offseason after playing out his two-year deal in Carolina. Another two-year deal with the Jets would give the veteran a near-certain opportunity to start in 2025. After that, he’d have another chance to play mentor once more to a rookie gunslinger either next year or in 2026.
The 14th-year quarterback started five games this season after the Panthers benched Young. He went 1-4 in those games with a 66.3% completion rate, 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
