NY Jets eyeing Carson Wentz and 2 other veteran QBs in free agency

The NY Jets are officially a week away from the unofficial start of NFL free agency, which means they're likely around a week away from knowing who their starting quarterback will be in 2025.

The Jets are expected to explore quarterback options in the 2025 NFL Draft — likely on Day 2 or 3 of the event — but the team will almost certainly add a new signal-caller in free agency first.

Various soon-to-be free-agent quarterbacks have been connected to the Jets in rumors leading up to next week's free agency period. Other names such as Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr, both still under contract with their respective teams, have been floated around.

On Sunday, SNY's Connor Hughes identified three veteran free-agent options the Jets are reportedly considering: Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields, and Carson Wentz. All three would be expected to compete for the starting job next season.

NY Jets targeting Carson Wentz, Justin Fields, and Marcus Mariota in free agency

Fields stands out as the most intriguing name of the trio. The former 11th overall pick is one of the few bridge quarterbacks with genuine upside on the open market this offseason.

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly have interest in bringing Fields back for 2025, but after benching him midway through last season, a reunion seems unlikely. The expectation is that Fields will be searching for a new home this month.

Fields played some of the most efficient football of his career last year, leading his team to a 4-2 record in six starts while throwing for five touchdowns and only one interception. He also rushed for an additional five touchdowns and completed over 65 percent of his passes.

Fields is far from a proven commodity, and many of the issues he had in Chicago are still prevalent in his Steelers tape, but he presents a significantly more exciting option than the alternatives.

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Mariota has started games in just one of the last five seasons, that being a disappointing stint with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. He looked serviceable in limited action with the Washington Commanders last season, but he likely wouldn’t be much of an upgrade over Tyrod Taylor.

The same can be said for Wentz, who has spent the last two seasons as a backup. His last shot at a starting job came with the Commanders in 2022, where he threw 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven starts before being benched.

Whatever path the Jets take, their 2026 and 2027 starting quarterbacks likely aren’t on the roster yet. The 2025 season is shaping up to be a bridge year as the team retools and likely searches for a long-term solution next offseason.

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