The NY Jets have seemingly pulled the plug on the Aaron Rodgers era after one season, as reports from Jay Glazer and others hint that New York is all but certain to trade or release Rodgers this offseason as the Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey tenures begin.
The Jets will need to figure out how to find a quarterback who can provide a convincing facsimile of Rodgers' performance, lest the team somehow endure a 15th consecutive season without having made the playoffs. To put it mildly, the options out there are looking fairly grim.
With Rodgers officially sent packing following a disappointing 2024 season, expect the Jets to reboot with one of these five signal-callers as the Glenn and Mougey era gets kicked off.
6 most likely options to be the NY Jets’ starting QB in 2025
6. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Cousins is fresh off the worst season he has had in a decade and also has Achilles trouble, making this a very unlikely bridge quarterback pairing. However, he will be one of the more productive veterans on the thin market, which means he can't be discounted as a possible option.
5. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The Jets will likely not be in a position to select either Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 7 overall. Even if picking that high might seem very rich for Dart, a high second-round pick could bring him to town. After impressing at the Senior Bowl, Dart's stock is on the rise.
4. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
After years of Jets rumors during the Robert Saleh era, his former San Francisco running mate is fresh off spending 2024 as a backup for Matthew Stafford under Sean McVay. Garoppolo could return to a Rams team that could move on from Stafford. but the Jets could be an option if No. 9 suits up again.
3. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Carr is still slated to be the starter in New Orleans, but they may need to part ways with him due to their horrid financial situation and Kellen Moore's regime coming to town. If the Jets bring Carr in, they could stay competitive while also avoiding having to trade Davante Adams away.
2. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fields could return to Pittsburgh if they tire of Russell Wilson, but the Jets could present him with a very interesting opportunity to link back up with former college teammate Garrett Wilson. Fields may not be the ideal fit for Tanner Engstrand's offense, but he has the highest ceiling of any Jets QB1 option in 2025.
1. Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
The Jets reportedly view Taylor as the leader in the clubhouse for Rodgers' old role. Taylor won't have the ability to bring the Jets to the postseason, but he is a solid veteran who can competently operate a professional offense.