The Jets are not making any secret of their desire to make a specific upgrade at the quarterback spot. Not long after Woody Johnson said he was willing to pay up for a veteran quarterback, Robert Saleh said informed prospective offensive coordinators of this plan.
Saleh ended up going with Nathaniel Hackett, a rather controversial choice considering his rapid Denver unraveling, but he informed Hackett and others the team plans on acquiring a veteran quarterback, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Saleh, understandably so, said Thursday the quarterback position was his top concern when discussing the state of the offense with candidates.
Saleh added he and Hackett did not discuss specific options, though this hire will point to one. Aaron Rodgers‘ praise of his former OC will connect the four-time MVP to the Jets, especially as a third round of Rodgers trade rumors are circulating. The Broncos’ Hackett hire, however, did not lead to a trade. And Hackett’s spectacular failure with Russell Wilson led him to become just the third first-year head coach in the past 53 years to be fired before the season ended.
With 2020s quarterback markets more action-packed than those of the previous decade, more options will be available in the event the Jets cannot pry Rodgers from Green Bay. Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo are the two names that immediately come to mind, though teams will certainly monitor the Ravens’ situation with Lamar Jackson. The Giants sound like they are now likelier to franchise Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley, while the Seahawks have opened talks with Geno Smith. Both Pete Carroll and John Schneider said the team wants to retain the nine-year veteran. Tom Brady also could be available, though it remains to be seen if the legendary passer will play a 24th season. If he does, clearer connections exist with other teams (Raiders, Titans) compared to the Jets. Gang Green, however, does boast weaponry and a solid defense — similar to what the Buccaneers presented in 2020.
Carr and Garoppolo are set to be available at different points on the calendar. Carr’s contract stipulates his trade market will close Feb. 15, when his $40.4MM guarantee vests. Unless Carr and the Raiders change that date, the team must move the quarterback off its roster before that point to avoid paying him that money. The Jets are one of the teams expected to pursue Carr, joining the Commanders, Saints and potentially others in doing so. Garoppolo will be available in mid-March, when free agency opens. Rodgers’ $58.3MM option bonus can be paid at any point this offseason, and with a post-June 1 trade better for the Packers’ books, it may be a while before the 39-year-old star is dealt — if, in fact, Green Bay actually decides to move on this year.
The Jets have Zach Wilson under contract through 2024, but the former No. 2 overall pick has not shown much to indicate he can be a starter-caliber QB. Mike White is set for free agency, and injuries in back-to-back seasons cut the popular Jet’s time as a starter short. While the Jets could keep White and have continued to insist Wilson remains part of their future (Saleh did so again Thursday), a proven passer will assuredly be the team’s target this offseason.
A move for a veteran franchise-type option will be a change of pace for the Jets, who have invested five first- or second-round picks (Wilson, Sam Darnold, Christian Hackenberg, Geno Smith, Mark Sanchez) at the position since 2009. While the team pursued Kirk Cousins in 2018 and used the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown as stopgaps, it has not rostered a true franchise-level option since Brett Favre 15 years ago. The second of four Favre retirements ended that partnership after one season.
You don’t say.
Give Carr a chance, he’s hell bent to prove his worth at QB after the benching in LV.
Chatter around the league has Derek Carr traded to an NFC club.
Chucky- Not saying you’re wrong but that rumor doesn’t seem to be substantiated by any reputable sources. I know the prevailing thought is Washington but I haven’t seen this actually confirmed by anyone legit.
I said “NFC club”, not naming anyone specific.
And stop putting words in my mouth!
Jets should trade for Russell Wilson. Bring the old Hackett-Wilson band back together.
Seriously though, the Jets would be my top destination if I was a QB. Real defense and Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, and a healthy Bryce are some great weapons.
Color me skeptical that Rodgers is going to go to a team simply because he thinks their OC is good
It wouldn’t be “simply” because of that. The Jets are a great QB away from really being a contender and Rodgers must see that. Wilson can put up Adams number with Rodgers having his typical season. I give him a pass last year because he played hurt with that thumb injury all year and he had no weapons. At least not ones that could stay on the field with any consistency.
Hackett hiring is hysterical. Jets are the epitome of garbage.
Hysterical? Why is it so amusing to you? Does Hackett not have a good body of work as an OC?
Exactly Lyman, Hackett flamed out of Denver because a QB that thinks he’s a pop star. Good hire Jets
That ‘pop star QB’ was one of the 5 best until Hackett got involved….. Awful hire.
Hackett has no body of work as an OC. He had Aaron Rodgers in a system that was in place before Hackett even got there. So YES, it’s extremely amusing to watch the Jets continue to make bad decision after bad decision. Oh sorry, he was the OC on a 2013 Bills team that went 6-10….
And the QB coach of Blake Bortles…. He REALLY turned him around too…
As a Packers fan, I can confirm he did not. The head coach runs the entire offense, Hackett was a figurehead.
It’s hysterical that two teams have now convinced themselves that Hackett is the key to Rodgers’ heart.
And a group of fans were convinced too.
Carr would be a great guy for the Jets to take a chance on.
Cousins? Then Minnesota could trade for Lance.
No organization rivals the Jets at chasing and failing to land the big prize. Ironically on rare occasions when they do land the big name guy they end up with a L’Veon Bell disaster. Their willingness to pursue a veteran has more to do with their ineffectiveness at developing QB prospects than anything else.
Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are essentially the same guy and Favre was traded to the jets.
Accept Rodgers knows how to throw the ball away and will never throw 20-30 picks in a year
You must not have seen the season finale of the packers lmao.
LOL, Saleh just can’t contain his giddiness and spilled the beans on the Rodgers deal before it was even announced by any of the beat writers.
Hackett didn’t fail with DangeRuss, Wilson is just cooked. Pete Carroll knew it and got a ransom for him. Patton was a dope and extended him.
Exactly