5 QBs who could've saved the NY Jets season after Aaron Rodgers injury

The NY Jets had every opportunity to properly address the backup quarterback position before the season started. Instead, they trusted a player they had benched just a few months earlier for a CFL quarterback with their backup job.

The results have been exactly what most would've expected. The Jets' offense has been a disaster this season in the wake of Aaron Rodgers' injury, and it's become increasingly clear that neither Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, nor Trevor Siemian is the solution at quarterback.

The Jets could've signed a better backup QB before the season started, but even after that misstep, there were ample opportunities to add a new quarterback to the roster following Rodgers' injury — a QB better than Trevor Siemian.

The following five quarterbacks might not have "saved the Jets' season," as the title suggests, but they would've likely been able to do a better job of keeping the team afloat and, more importantly, keeping the Aaron Rodgers return dream alive.

5. The NY Jets could've traded for Case Keenum

It would have made sense for the Jets to explore the trade market following Rodgers' injury in September, and one player they likely would have been able to land for next to nothing is veteran Case Keenum.

The 11-year NFL veteran is currently the third-string quarterback in Houston, but he has over 60 career starts under his belt and would provide much-needed experience to an unproven QB room.

Keenum hasn't played much in recent years, although he looked more than competent in his two starts with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He was also a serviceable starter for a few years, from 2016 to 2019.

It's hard to imagine the Texans would have asked for much of anything to part ways with a QB who hasn't even been active for a single game this season. Keenum wouldn't have saved the day, but he's a better option than any QB currently on the Jets' roster.

4. The NY Jets could've signed Joe Flacco

For all the criticism Joe Flacco might have gotten for his time with the Jets, he put up some pretty impressive numbers, all things considered. The former Baltimore Ravens QB finished his Jets career with 14 touchdowns and just six interceptions in nine starts.

Flacco averaged 6-7 yards per attempt over three years with the Jets, earning a quarterback rating of 81.5 in the process. Was he a particularly good quarterback? Not necessarily. But those are numbers the Jets can only dream of right now.

Flacco was signed by the Browns last month, and he played well in his first start with the team this past Sunday. Of course, he's in a very different situation, but Flacco proved that he can still play at the NFL level.

The biggest downside to Flacco at this stage is his lack of mobility, which could have caused troubles behind an injury-riddled Jets offensive line. Still, it's hard to believe he wouldn't have been a better addition than Siemian, especially given his history with the organization.

3. The NY Jets could've signed Carson Wentz

It's hard to believe Carson Wentz wasn't more coveted as a backup quarterback this offseason. Perhaps it has something to do with the perceived attitude concerns that plagued his time in Indianapolis and later Washington, but from a pure talent perspective, Wentz is good enough to play in this league.

The former first-round pick was quietly pretty good as a starter for the Colts in 2021. Wentz finished that season with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, completing over 62 percent of his passes.

His stint with the Commanders didn't go as well, but the volatile Wentz is undoubtedly a better quarterback than any healthy option on the Jets' roster right now.

Yes, he'll have his fair share of gaffes, but his talent alone would provide an upside to the Jets' offense that hasn't existed this season. Wentz showed interest in the Jets, but they ultimately passed. Now, he's backing up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles.

2. The NY Jets could've traded for Josh Dobbs

Josh Dobbs may be coming off the worst game of his NFL career, but he's done more than enough in his time as a starter for two separate franchises this season to prove that he belongs in this league.

Dobbs was a revelation for the Arizona Cardinals early in the season, scoring 11 total touchdowns and throwing just five interceptions in eight starts. This was despite playing with one of the worst supporting casts in the NFL.

Now, Dobbs is starting in Minnesota after the Vikings sent a sixth-round pick to Arizona following a season-ending torn Achilles suffered by Kirk Cousins.

Prior to a four-interception meltdown in Week 12, Dobbs had thrown four touchdowns and just one interception, leading the Vikings offense to 20+ points in every game. The Vikings were proactive in acquiring a QB when their starter went down — the Jets were not.

1. The NY Jets could've traded for Jacoby Brissett

If there was one potentially available quarterback who could've legitimately salvaged this Jets season, it was probably Jacoby Brissett. Brissett remains one of the best backup quarterbacks in the entire NFL.

The former third-round pick started 11 games for the Browns last season and legitimately played at an above-average level for a good portion of the season. He would absolutely start on a handful of teams right now — obviously including the Jets.

Teams were reportedly calling about Brissett, currently the backup in Washington, prior to the trade deadline, and although he ultimately wasn't moved, it's fair to suggest that he could've been had for a certain price.

The Jets would likely have at a minimum 2-3 more wins right now if Brissett was their quarterback. We might be talking about Aaron Rodgers returning for a potential playoff run.

Instead, the Jets stuck with their abysmal quarterback room, and they paid the price.