Another year, the New York Jets quarterback conundrum continues. GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn brought in Justin Fields last offseason as a half-measure to solve their issues under center, only to create more problems. Now, with the only certified round-one quarterback set to go first overall, Fernando Mendoza, the Jets contacted the Las Vegas Raiders, set to pick first, to see if a trade up from the second spot could be possible.
Jets GM on Trade Chances for Fernando Mendoza
According to The Athletic, Mougey said he spoke with Raiders general manager John Spytek about moving up to the first selection, though he added, “I don’t think that’s happening.”
Spytek would likely ask for a steep price to trade up, even by one spot, given the quarterback depth in the 2026 class. After Mendoza, there’s currently no consensus on whether a second quarterback will be selected in round one.
While Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson looked to be the favorite to go first overall midseason, poor performances in the second half of the season caused his stock to drop – as did his PFSN CFB Quarterback Impact Ranking, in which he ended at 25th.
Due to the quarterback class – or lack thereof – no one can blame Mougey for exploring a trade up. One could argue that he should make a deal no matter what the cost, given how long the Jets have been looking for a franchise quarterback.
While Fields is still on the roster for now, he’s likely to get cut before free agency opens on March 11. Longtime, dependable backup Tyrod Taylor is set to be a free agent as well, leaving 2025 rookie Brady Cook and Hendon Hooker as the only quarterbacks on the roster.
At the very least, the Jets should look to add two quarterbacks this offseason.
It’s a difficult year to need a signal-caller, as the draft doesn’t look extremely fruitful, and neither does free agency. It feels unlikely top free agent quarterback option, Daniel Jones, bolts from Indianapolis.
This leaves former Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis as the obvious option. Glenn seems to prefer mobile quarterbacks, and Willis has yet to reach his full potential.
We’ll have to wait and see how Mougey and the Jets solve their quarterback question, but one thing is nearly guaranteed – Mendoza won’t be the answer.
