Power Ranking The Jets QB Options Now That Aaron Rodgers Is Likely Gone
Nick Cammett. Getty Images.Mere hours before the Super Bowl, the Jets let this news dump get out there:
SOURCE - The New York Jets-Aaron Rodgers marriage appears to be ending after two disappointing seasons, as the future Hall of Fame quarterback is unlikely to remain with the team in 2025, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Rodgers, 41, flew to New Jersey last week to meet with new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey, a source confirmed to ESPN. Fox Sports reported Sunday that Rodgers was informed in that meeting that the team has decided to part ways with him.
A formal announcement is likely in the coming days.
I'm very pleased this Rodgers Era (Error?) is finally over. I'm not thrilled about the $49 million dead cap hit they will take (even if he retires). But I'm just glad he's gone. You can't win with him and he's probably just good enough to keep you from being terrible enough for a top pick. Keeping him around would have felt like kicking the can down the road.
So who next? Here's a power ranking of a few QB options that I can see for the Jets franchise:
5. Kirk Cousins
Hector Acevedo. Shutterstock Images.No! We just fucking did this! An old QB coming off an Achilles injury? No thanks. Not only that, but you'd have to trade for him (although the Falcons would likely give him away to clear room for Michael Penix, Jr.).
If they go and bring Cousins in with this team, you're looking at another year where this team will win between 5-7 wins. I have to think the Cousins possibility is not likely if they already didn't want Rodgers and all of his dead money.
4. Sam Darnold
Adam Glanzman. Getty Images.Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? I don't even think the Jets could afford Darnold even if they really wanted to. I think he's going to get a giant contract from some QB-desperate team. I also think Darnold has some Andy Dalton in him where he's good enough to get you the playoffs but you can't win with him.
I'd hate this move from the Jets for all of the above reasons. He's only 27 and I do think he's a decent quarterback but this is not the answer for the Jets.
3. Justin Fields
Mike Buscher. Shutterstock Images.
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This is the first name on this list that I'd actually be happy with. Fields is still only 25 for a couple weeks. I also don't think he's going to get Sam Darnold money. He has the ability to make plays on his own and I think he can still become a better quarterback. The Jets are probably too fucked to be competitive next year but if they are intent on keeping this roster together, Fields makes the most sense.
2. Trade Up For Shedeur Sanders
Icon Sportswire. Getty Images.What would it take for the Titans to give the #1 pick up? Jets 2025 1st (7th overall) and the 2026 1st? Should they consider doing something like that when that 2026 1st could easily be a top 5 pick especially with a rookie QB?
It all depends on how much you value Sanders (or I guess Cam Ward if you like him better). If you put a dynamic QB with the rest of this current Jets roster and a new coach like Aaron Glenn, is that enough to be competitive?
Sadly, I doubt it.
1. Tyrod Taylor
Scott Serio. Shutterstock Images.Just blow the whole thing up. Trade Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Davante Adams, anyone with a pulse for draft assets. Collect every draft pick you can. Tyrod Taylor is already here. He won't cost you anything. Just find a way to go 1-16 and put yourself in the best position possible to get Arch Manning. Or wait a year and get the best option the year after that. Or even the year after that. You just have to land the right guy.
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You can't fuck up with the next quarterback for the Jets. My patience is already gone but the only thing worse than sucking is believing in another failed quarterback like Zach Wilson. I don't know if I can do that again.
I've never felt more lost with this team as I do right now. The only way I see moving forward is ripping it all up and starting over.
Again.