Jets fans may scream upon learning who Frank Reich allegedly wants at quarterback

Recently hired New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich is expected to have a significant say regarding who the club acquires to be its starting quarterback as soon as the new league year opens this coming Wednesday afternoon. 

Reich has a relationship with current Minnesota Vikings backup signal-caller and journeyman Carson Wentz from the time they spent together with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts. For an article published on Friday, SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes revealed that Wentz is "Reich’s preferred option" among the signal-callers likely to sign with the Jets this offseason. 

Why Frank Reich may want to work with Carson Wentz

"The two have a longstanding relationship dating back to Reich’s time as Wentz’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2016-17," Hughes explained. "Wentz’s best season came under Reich in Year 2, when he went 11-2 and threw for 3,296 yards with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions. ...Reich brought Wentz to Indianapolis in 2021. There, the quarterback went 9-8 as a starter, completing 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions." 

Hughes added that a source said that "no one loves Wentz more than Frank." 

Most recently, Wentz went 2-3 as Minnesota's temporary QB1 this past season before he needed campaign-ending shoulder surgery. The 33-year-old has a worrisome injury history, and there's no reason for any team to believe he can remain available for 17 straight games at this stage of his career. 

What about other options for the Jets? 

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the futures of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Las Vegas Raiders veteran Geno Smith. Murray's alleged "preference" is to sign with the Vikings, but they may choose to sign Smith to have him compete with and serve as a mentor for 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy.

According to Hughes, Murray "is expected to sign with the Vikings." If that isn't the case, however, it's worth noting that Murray’s father reportedly has a relationship with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. 

One would think a team would rather take a flier on Murray over Wentz, considering where the two are in their careers. That said, how the Vikings handle their quarterback situation may determine who is and isn't available for the Jets next week.