ESPN offers a fascinating solution to the Jets' quarterback dilemma

The NFL offseason is in full swing, which means the New York Jets are once again looking for a quarterback. It’s a process that has been taking place for a long time, and few are confident that the franchise will find a long-term answer this offseason. Instead, many fans are already thinking about who the Jets could land in what’s expected to be a loaded 2027 Draft class.

However, the Jets have to start someone in 2026; it’s just a matter of who. ESPN’s Seth Walder tried to answer that in a recent piece where he predicted the Week 1 starter for all 32 teams.

Walder admitted that the Jets were the hardest team to do this exercise for, because of all the directions they could go, but he ultimately settled on New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Spencer Rattler predicted to be Jets’ Week 1 starting quarterback in 2026

Walder explained that the Jets could gamble on a rookie, but pointed out that the team is unlikely to land Fernando Mendoza — the only clear first-round quarterback in the class.

That makes it more likely that the Jets turn to a veteran, either in free agency or by trade. Ultimately, Walder predicts a trade with the Saints for Rattler.

"Though he ultimately gave way to rookie Tyler Shough, Rattler was solid last season in New Orleans. He recorded a 50.3 QBR and a plus-3% completion percentage over expected, and his 9% off-target rate was the lowest among all QBs with at least 100 pass attempts. The 2024 fifth-round pick is entering his third season, so he could still improve."

Seth Walder (ESPN)

Rattler was drafted by the Saints in 2024 and started 14 games, playing in 16, for the team in his two seasons. In those games, he completed 62.7% of his passes for 2,903 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added 313 rushing yards. The biggest problem, though, is that New Orleans was 1-13 in his starts.

The Saints clearly had far bigger problems, but they eventually turned things over to Tyler Shough, and he impressed enough that he’s being viewed as the guy moving forward. New Orleans could keep Rattler around as a backup, or they could move him to a quarterback-needy team like the Jets.

He’d certainly be an interesting option in New York, as he has demonstrated that he clearly has arm talent. However, he has also dealt with the shortcomings of young quarterbacks in the NFL. The Jets could take a gamble on him to see if he can develop and reach another level in 2026.