Jets could look to sign these free agent QBs after Justin Fields toe injury

Thursday morning has felt like armageddon for Jets fans, as news of Justin Fields being carted off the practice field spread across social media like NFL wildfire. Lucky for Gang Green, it seems as though his injury is less severe than originally perceived. 

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Aaron Glenn said after practice that the 26-year-old is dealing with a dislocated right toe. The sky isn’t falling anymore like it would have with an Achilles or ACL injury, but the Ohio State product being banged up at all is far from what fans are hoping to see.

After signing a two-year deal in March, the former first-rounder is expected to get a real shot to be New York’s quarterback of the future. But with him a little banged up, the Jets could look to the free agent market to find additional positional stability alongside Tyrod Taylor.

Jets could look to NFL veterans to add experience to the quarterback room

A trade for a guy like Kirk Cousins or Jacoby Brissett would cost GM Darren Mougey too much, so here are three alternatives the franchise could look into.

Carson Wentz

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Wentz was an MVP frontrunner before his injury in 2018, and it wasn’t too long ago that he looked like the future of the NFL. The former No. 2 pick has bounced around as a journeyman since leaving the Eagles, landing in Washington and Indianapolis before the 32-year-old landed in his two best destinations.

In his last two seasons, he has spent time as a backup to Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes for the Rams and Chiefs, two places known for their quarterback development.

After all, it was a short stint in LA that got Baker Mayfield another opportunity as an NFL starter. Wentz has started 94 games in nine NFL seasons and has thrown for 20+ passing touchdowns in four of those years.

Maybe a return to the East Coast can help the Pro Bowl passer recapture some of the magic he created in Philadelphia.

Teddy Bridgewater

After taking a hiatus from football to coach high school, the ex-first-rounder and former Jet is ready to be back on the field for good. A torn ACL took away a few of his prime seasons, but he’s still bounced around the league, starting 65 games for the Vikings, Saints, Panthers and Broncos.

And the Louisville product makes sense for the Jets. Since returning to the NFL in 2023, the 32-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Lions. This means he's familiar with both Glenn and OC Tanner Engstrand.

He’s a guy who is familiar with the system being employed, so for a low-cost, high-reward depth option, Bridgewater, an ex-Pro Bowler, makes sense behind a younger player like Fields.

Tyler Huntley

Yes, Pro Bowl quarterback Tyler Huntley could be an option that makes sense for New York. He may be one of the most controversial Pro Bowl additions in league history, but that doesn’t change the accolade.

Besides, the 27-year-old has backed up Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa in his career already.

Glenn and Engstrand have a clear vision in what they want under center and the Utah product provides that. He has mobility, composure, and just enough game experience to intrigue a staff looking for a scheme-fit behind Fields, even if his game numbers are far from intriguing.

The Jets hope Fields' toe injury turns out to be nothing. But they also know better than most how fast a quarterback room can unravel. In the modern NFL, it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, we know how it ended with Aaron Rodgers in Florham Park. And no Jet fan wants to repeat that fiasco.

More Jets news and analysis: