Jets Projected to Replace Aaron Rodgers With Trade for $150 Million QB

That means a veteran via free agency or trade is the best option. Unfortunately for New York, the top QB who might hit the open market is Sam Darnold -- the Jets' former No. 3 pick in 2018 who they ran out of town rather unceremoniously after three seasons. 

The field thins significantly after that with potentials that include Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields of the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as Daniel Jones, who is a backup on the Minnesota Vikings roster at the moment after the New York Giants fired him half of a season into a four-year, $160 million extension.

The Jets' options grow thin.

One move the team might be able to swing is a trade with the New Orleans Saints for Derek Carr. It is unclear how new Saints head coach Kellen Moore, most recently the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, feels about Carr as he heads into his age-34 season.

Carr is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he battled injuries much of last season and has two years remaining on a $150 million contract. Meanwhile, the Saints are in salary cap hell at -$51.1 million as of Thursday -- dead last in the NFL.

As such, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report predicted the Saints will trade Carr to the Jets in a move that makes considerable sense for both sides.

"Derek Carr could be available and makes plenty of sense as a short-term option for the Jets," Kay wrote on Tuesday. "The Jets have many of the pieces in place to win now, including a defense that ranked No. 4 or better in each of the last three seasons. While Rodgers couldn't elevate the offense in 2024, the 33-year-old Carr could bring some much-needed stability to the Big Apple."