The Jets’ QB Future Just Became Clearer

News broke on Monday that the New York Jets are making yet another shake-up at quarterback. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that veteran Tyrod Taylor will start next week against the Baltimore Ravens, replacing Justin Fields. The move signals a clear shift in direction for a team still searching for answers under center.  The change likely means the Jets will be looking to bring a new face into the quarterback room in the offseason. 

On Monday, November 17th, ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote, “While New York will prepare for its final seven games, the long-term focus shifts to the offseason — when the Jets are expected to reset their quarterback depth chart. Yes, Fields is under contract for 2026 ($20 million salary, half of which is guaranteed), but it’s hard to imagine him as part of the plan. Taylor, 36, will be a free agent.”

With the season slipping away and another pivotal offseason approaching, the search for the Jets’ next franchise quarterback appears ready to begin—again. The only question is whether they’ll look to the 2026 draft for their answer or try to bring in a veteran instead.

Possible Targets in the Offseason

The quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft could include several big names, including Fernando Mendoza (Indiana University), Ty Simpson (University of Alabama), LaNorris Sellers (University of South Carolina), and Dante Moore (University of Oregon). The Jets are likely to have a high pick, and they also have the draft capital to trade up if necessary to go get their guy.

If the Jets don’t believe there’s a franchise quarterback available in the 2026 draft, they would likely turn to the veteran market instead.

“Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Mac Jones are the names to watch. Joe Burrow has been discussed on talk shows and such, but that seems like a pipe dream. Jones, who has resurrected his career in Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly offense, is the most intriguing option. As Brock Purdy’s injury replacement, Jones is 5-3 with the San Francisco 49ers. Maybe he’d fit for one or two years, allowing the Jets to wait until 2027 to draft their long-term solution,” Cimini of ESPN wrote on Monday, November 17th.

GettyFernando Mendoza could be an option for the Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft.

What Fields’ Benching Could Mean for the Rest of the Season

With a different quarterback under center may come a new-look offense for the Jets. Expect the Jets’ passing attack to be more prevalent with Taylor starting, potentially allowing the team to get more production from the wide receiver room.

“The reality of the Jets situation: The rest of this season is about 2026. They need to spend it evaluating who can or should be a piece for this team next year, especially on offense. They need a QB capable of at least delivering these young WRs the ball. Justin Fields was working counter to that. Tyrod Taylor is obviously a flawed QB and the Jets aren’t going to win a lot of games with him either but this had to happen for the sake of evaluation,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote on Monday, November 17th.

A more pass-focused offense for the rest of the season would help the Jets evaluate young talent such as newly acquired wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie, along with rookie tight end Mason Taylor.

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