Lamar Jackson? Aaron Rodgers? Derek Carr? Mike White? Zach Wilson? Who will be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets? The QB decision will remain the central question throughout the off-season, and every QB listed above has a good chance of being the correct answer.
The Jets were a good football team last year, and they are a QB away from being a legit team in this league. This offense has one of, if not the best, group of young talent from top to bottom. Two young running backs, Breece Hall and Zonovan Knight hold down the backfield. A receiving group of Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, and Denzel Mims looks outstanding when they have someone capable of getting them the ball. The offensive line heralds young guys like Mekhi Beckton and Alijah Vera-Tucker mixed with seasoned vets like Duane Brown, Laken Tomlison, and Connor McGovern. This offensive unit is ready to compete with a better QB.
On the defensive side is where it gets interesting. The Jets drafted a top-five corner in the league last year in Sauce Gardner; they have a top-five defensive tackle in Quinnen Williams and some good veterans around them on all three levels of the ball. The defense is why the Jets had a chance to make the playoffs last year. If the Jets had any consistent help from the QB position, they would have snuck into the playoffs after being the laughingstock of their division.
Aaron Rodgers would be an optimal solution. The Jets would only have to give up two first-round picks, which would probably end up later in the draft, and they could keep their selection at 13 to get more depth at O-Line. At 13, one of the top three tackle prospects should be available. Broderick Jones, Paris Johnson Jr., and Peter Storonski would all be great additions. The only downside of trading for Rodgers is not knowing how long he will play. The Jets are a young team, and bringing in a QB on the tail end of his career could leave this unit in the same position they are in when Rodgers’ contract expires.
If the Jets decide to go with Lamar Jackson, they must give up far more draft capital. Like the Browns’ trade for Deshaun Watson, the Jets would have to give up their next four first-round picks, leaving them stuck with building a team around Lamar, capable of winning with only second-rounders and above. Lamar, however, would be here through the progression of this young team. Lamar will sign a huge contract once traded. Sending all these picks is worth it for the Jets. Having a QB to grow this young team and compete now is the right direction. The Jets will be fine only having second-rounders to build a team, as they have already found solid players like Breece Hall and Elijah Moore in the second round.
The final consideration for the Jets should be Derek Carr. Carr is a good QB and deserves to be a starter in this league; however, he is far behind the two aforementioned QBs. Carr would be an upgrade over White and Wilson, but it would only put the Jets in a position to make the playoffs, nothing further. Carr would be the cheapest option, allowing the Jets to keep their draft capital. The reward guys like Jackson and Rodgers offer outweighs their risk. Getting either QBs would set the Jets up to compete in 2023. Adding a few other guys in free agency, restructuring, and cutting a few current players could move the Jets into the division-favorite territory. The Bills will lose critical defensive players in free agency, the Dolphins are a toss-up, and New England is on a make-or-break year for their QB, Mac Jones. Now is the perfect time for the Jets to take off.