The Jets will surely be exploring every possible option when it comes to the quarterback position, and WFAN host Boomer Esiason believes Chiefs signal-caller Alex Smith would be an excellent fit for the organization.
“He can handle the crap if he has to,” Esiason told Connor Hughes of NJ.com. “He would be a very steady influence and somebody who is in the midst of his prime. And he knows the West Coast offense. I’m assuming that’s what [offensive coordinator] Johnny Morton is going to be running?
“There’s no way Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are going to be ready for that. They’re just not ready for it. Alex has, obviously, played his entire career in it.”
Of course, Smith would only be available if the Chiefs acquire an upgrade at the position. This past season, the 32-year-old completed 67.1-percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a career-high 3,502 passing yards. The veteran’s cap hit is expected to be around $16.9MM next season, and he’s signed through the 2018 campaign.
Let’s take a look at some other notes coming out of the Big Apple…
- Speaking of quarterbacks, NFL.com’s Charley Casserly believes Bears veteran Jay Cutler would be a fit for the Jets… as long as he can handle the media. Cutler has a history with wideout Brandon Marshall, and he’s also played for quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. The 33-year-old appeared in only five games this season, marking the seventh-straight campaign that he failed to play in all 16 games.
- Darryl Slater of NJ.com believes that the Jets restructuring linebacker David Harris‘ contract would be “ideal.” The veteran is set to enter the final year of his deal, and the team could free up $6.5MM by cutting him loose. However, Slater believes the 33-year-old can still play, and a lower salary may be the better option than simply cutting him.
- Slater also points out that the Jets have already cleared $17.5MM be cutting Ryan Clady, Breno Giacomini, and Nick Folk. The team could free up at least another $30MM by releasing Marshall, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, and Marcus Gilchrist.
Don’t cut mangold
Seconded. I’m a pats fan and I still love mangold
I would be good with Alex Smith. I also think the Jets could land Kirk Cousins by offering some combination of the #6 pick and Sheldon Richardson.
Either way the Jets need to bite the bullet and finally fix their never ending QB problem.
That’s one hell of an overpay, I like Kirk but he isn’t worth the 6th pick plus a top tier rusher
With many teams (Jets, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, SF, Chicago, etc) in need of a decent QB might have to overpay to get a decent one.
Overpay! The Jets don’t have enough to “overpay” for Cousins! There is no chance Cousins plays for anyone but Washington.
A franchise QB is worth far more than the 6th pick in a week draft and Richardson.