Trending Now - Jets Face Quarterback Decisions as Free Agency Approaches
WHO:
NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. suggested the Jets could select Ty Simpson in his latest mock draft.
General manager Darren Mougey has made 12 player trades since 2025.
NFL draft analyst Matt Miller expressed doubts about Ty Simpson.
New York Jets, Ty Simpson, Justin Fields
WHAT:
The Jets are considering re-signing Tyrod Taylor as a backup quarterback.
The Jets are also exploring options including Cooper Rush, Joe Flacco, and Russell Wilson for the backup quarterback position.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson's 2027 compensation of $24.5 million became fully guaranteed on March 20th, 2026.
The Jets are paying Geno Smith $3.3 million to be their starter in 2026.
Justin Fields' cap hit for 2026 is $20 million, resulting from his trade to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The Jets' dead-money hit for 2026 is $104 million, the third-highest in the league.
The Jets have signed eight outside free agents totaling $70 million in guarantees and have seven of their own free agents totaling $7 million.
Eight of their free agents went to other teams, totaling $60 million.
The Jets have nine unsigned free agents, most notably Tyrod Taylor.
The New York Jets are paying a combined $48 million in cap space for quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, who will not be their starting QB in 2026.
The Jets are currently 11th in team spending for the offseason, according to Spotrac.
The Jets have over $150 million in cap space available for the 2027 season.
The Jets have three first-round picks in the 2027 draft.
The Jets' dead-money hit for 2026 is $104 million, the third-highest in the league.
Justin Fields' cap hit for 2026 is $20 million, resulting from his trade to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The Jets' current 2026 draft picks include: Round 1 (2 and 16 overall); Round 2 (33 and 44); Round 4 (103 and 140); Round 5 (179); and Round 7 (228 and 242).
The Jets traded their third-round pick to the Eagles in the 2024 Haason Reddick trade.
Matt Miller stated that Ty Simpson "doesn't have elite physical traits" ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New York Jets were cautioned against selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Concerns were raised regarding the historical development of quarterbacks.
WHERE:
New York, United States
WHEN:
The caution regarding Ty Simpson's selection occurred in 2026.
WHY:
The Jets' decision to explore backup quarterback options is due to the trade of Justin Fields and the need for a veteran presence behind Geno Smith.
The Jets' decision to trade Justin Fields was influenced by his "disastrous" performance in 2025, which led to the decision to pay $8 million of his $11 million in 2026 compensation.
The Jets' decision to trade Justin Fields was influenced by his "disastrous" performance in 2025.
Concerns about Ty Simpson's physical attributes were highlighted as a reason for skepticism regarding his potential selection by the Jets.
The warning was based on scrutiny following the trade of Justin Fields and concerns about quarterback development.
HOW:
The Jets are operating with more than a third of the $301.2 million salary cap devoted to players who no longer play for the team.
General manager Darren Mougey has made 12 player trades since 2025.
General manager Darren Mougey has made 12 player trades since the previous year.
The Jets' draft plans faced scrutiny after the trade of Justin Fields.
(UPDATED March 23, 2026 17:47 UTC)
In a recent mock draft, NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. suggested that the Jets could select quarterback Ty Simpson, as they consider re-signing Tyrod Taylor for the backup position while also exploring options like Cooper Rush, Joe Flacco, and Russell Wilson. This shift comes after the trade of Justin Fields, highlighting the Jets' need for a veteran presence behind Geno Smith, and it follows the full guarantee of wide receiver Garrett Wilson's 2027 compensation of $24.5 million on March 20. Additionally, the Jets are currently managing a salary cap situation where over a third of their $301.2 million is tied up in players no longer with the team.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 15:36 UTC)
In a significant move, the Jets have signed Geno Smith to a $3.3 million contract to be their starting quarterback for 2026, while also trading Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a $20 million cap hit for the season. The Jets are facing a hefty dead-money hit of $104 million, which is the third-highest in the league, and have signed eight outside free agents for a total of $70 million in guarantees. General manager Darren Mougey has been active, making 12 player trades since 2025, and the decision to trade Fields came after a disappointing performance last season, prompting the Jets to cover $8 million of his 2026 salary.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:39 UTC)
In a significant move, the New York Jets are set to pay a combined $48 million in cap space for quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, who will not be starting in 2026. Following a disappointing performance last season, the Jets traded Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a $20 million cap hit for 2026, while the team currently holds three first-round picks for the 2027 draft and has over $150 million in cap space available for that season. General manager Darren Mougey has been active, completing 12 player trades since last year, as the Jets navigate their roster and prepare for the future.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 04:01 UTC)
NFL draft analyst Matt Miller has raised concerns about Ty Simpson ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. He stated that Simpson "doesn't have elite physical traits," which has led to skepticism about his potential selection by the Jets. As the draft approaches, these doubts could significantly impact Simpson's prospects.
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(UPDATED March 22, 2026 21:16 UTC)
The New York Jets have been cautioned against selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft due to concerns about the historical development of quarterbacks. This warning comes on the heels of the Jets' recent trade of Justin Fields, which has led to increased scrutiny of their draft plans. As the team navigates these challenges, the focus remains on making the best decision for their future at the quarterback position.