Jets may get an early look at 2027 veteran QB option in Bucaneers joint practice

When it comes to starting caliber veteran quarterbacks on the New York Jets, they have just one, in Geno Smith. There's a lot riding on Smith heading into 2026, thanks to the current depth chart.

Behind the former Jets draft pick is a fourth-round rookie in Cade Klubnik, a journeyman in Bailey Zappe, and a second-year undrafted free agent in Brady Cook. If Smith goes down with an injury or maintains his poor level of play from last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, New York is going to have some major issues.

In the event Smith flames out, the Jets will surely be on the market for a quarterback again in 2027. Even if they draft one high with one of their three first-round picks, they'll surely still want a veteran ahead of him to play until the rookie is ready.

New York may end up getting a real good look at one of those potential options this week in joint practice, when they host Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baker Mayfield could be a veteran QB option for the New York Jets in 2027

Now, if Smith ends up playing well and staying healthy, this isn't even really a conversation. He would almost certainly be back with the Jets on a new short-term deal in 2027 as the mentor for a hypothetical rookie.

But there's always the possibility the opposite happens, and in the event of a failed season, the Jets will need someone, and Mayfield could make a lot of sense.

The former No. 1 overall pick and Tampa Bay's front office have been in a well-documented standoff this offseason over Mayfield's contract situation. He's entering the final year of his contract and couldn't find common ground with the Buccaneers.

Mayfield is likely to test the free agent waters in 2027, barring a potential franchise tag from the Bucs. If he does hit the market, it will certainly be a player the Jets would want to keep tabs on.

New York Jets urged to stay away from Baker Mayfield

ESPN's Rich Cimini was posed the idea of the Jets targeting Mayfield during free agency in 2027 on the Jets Collective podcast, and he sounded less than enthused about the idea of a potential marriage.

"I think that would be a mistake for the Jets to do that; that is my own personal feeling. I know Jets fans want him, I don't think they would do something like that, I mean, he wants $50 million a year, he's not a $50 million a year quarterback."

To Cimini's point, there will likely be plenty of other quarterback options for the Jets that won't have the same price tag as Mayfield.

They'll surely have other areas to spend money on with the current state of the roster rather than blowing $50 million on the quarterback position for a guy who isn't the future.

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