NY Jets' free-agent QB move will reveal the new regime’s true draft intentions

Since Aaron Glenn hired former Detroit Lions assistant Tanner Engstrand as his offensive coordinator, pundits and fans alike have been trying to project and predict the style of offense and the type of quarterback the New York Jets will be handpicking to lead their franchise in 2025 and beyond.

Guesswork has ruled the day. Questions like, will Engstrand copy and paste Ben Johnson's Lions' offense, one in which he played a significant role coordinating the team's passing attack, or will he lean more toward the traditional West Coast offense he learned under Jim Harbaugh?

In Detroit, the Lions' offense combined old-school elements with new-age concepts. They deployed many plays under center, heavy play action, and unbalanced looks with extra offensive linemen using deception and spacing in the passing game to generate big plays.

The scheme fit Jared Goff's skill set very well. A pocket-style passer who can excel under center, utilizing play-action that targets open spaces down the middle of the field.

That begs the question: Will Engstrand be looking for someone with a similar player profile to Goff, or will he be seeking a more mobile quarterback who better fits a traditional West Coast scheme?

The good news is that the answer will reveal itself when free agency arrives. Who they Jets acquire will not only tip off the team's style of offensive play under Engstrand but also the type of franchise quarterback they will be seeking in the draft.

NY Jets' quarterback choice will shape their offensive identity

Several quarterbacks have been attached to the Jets as potential additions in the leadup to the league's new year.

Some like current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and pending free agent Jameis Winston fit the mold of a traditional pocket passer, while others like Justin Fields and Marcus Mariota are on the opposite side of the spectrum as quarterbacks who work best on the move.

Perhaps a significant clue to the desired profile of a Jets quarterback is already in-house. New York has three quarterbacks on its roster who fit the mobile motif: veteran Tyrod Taylor and unproven youngsters Jordan Travis and Adrian Martinez.

However, what if the Jets deviate from the type of quarterback they already have by adding an under-center pocket-styled passer? In that case, it would be a telltale sign of the offense they want to run and a shift in preference at the position.

Either way, whether the Jets acquire a mobile quarterback to match their room or a traditional passer who stays within structure, the added player will also tip off the style of quarterback the team intends to draft next month or even next year.

For example, the acquisition of a Cousins or Winston type would likely lead to the Jets drafting quarterbacks like Syracuse's Kyle McCord, who also fits that mold.

A Justin Fields or Marcus Mariota signing by the Jets would signal that mobile pocket passers such as the enigmatic but ultra-talented Jalen Milroe are a desired target.

There is much mystery surrounding the Jets' quarterback position right now. A great unknown about the team's desired philosophical direction will soon be known.

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