Jets Fans Get Brief Update On Next QB Search

All of this is to say, the team has more decisions to make. On Sunday, ESPN's Rich Cimini shed a bit of light on the team and reported that "some folks in the scouting industry" believe Darren Mougey and the Jets may pass on selecting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

"There are some folks in the scouting industry who believe Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey might punt on a quarterback, waiting until the 2027 draft to make their big splash," Cimini wrote. "Remember, they have three first-round picks in '27, along with two in '26. There are several variables. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Dante Moore (Oregon) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) are the consensus top prospects, but there's some thought that Moore and Simpson, who have only 17 and 13 career starts, respectively, might return to school for more seasoning (and more NIL money).

"If it's a 'one-man' quarterback class -- Mendoza -- the law of supply and demand will mean a steep cost for trading up. The drop-off between the top three and the next tier is huge, according to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid."

If the season ended today, the Jets would have the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That's far too low for Mendoza, who very well could go No. 1 overall.

If the Jets don't draft a quarterback, retaining either Taylor or Fields could be a familiar option to get through one more season. If not, short-term options who are pending free agents are Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Jimmy Garoppolo, Carson Wentz, and Trey Lance, among others. There's been chatter about Kyler Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals, or Kirk Cousins' future with the Atlanta Falcons, as well.

New York has a few picks in the 2027 draft thanks to the trades it made before the deadline this fall. If the Jets think there is a franchise guy in 2027, it would be better to go that route and sign a veteran in the short term, rather than using another high pick for someone to not stick around.