5 Super Bowl players the NY Jets could target in free agency

4. The NY Jets could target QB Sam Darnold

The Jets will be in the market for a capable backup quarterback this offseason, and what a story it would be if the team called on the services of an old friend to fill that role.

Sam Darnold has settled into a nice role as a capable NFL backup QB, serving as the San Francisco 49ers' QB2 behind Brock Purdy in 2023. He performed admirably in his lone start this past season, finishing 16-of-26 for 189 yards and a touchdown in a close 21-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Darnold has plenty of starting experience and has proven to be a reliable backup QB at this stage. He may be a step below the likes of Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but Darnold would undoubtedly be an upgrade over what the Jets had in 2023.

Of course, there is still history between Darnold and this current Jets regime. Would he be willing to return to the same organization that traded him just a few years earlier? He might be open to it for the right price.

3. The NY Jets could target S Tashaun Gipson

Safety is one of the more underrated needs for the Jets this offseason, especially with Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark, and Ashtyn Davis all set to hit free agency. There's a decent chance the Jets have a new starting safety alongside Tony Adams in 2024.

Perhaps that player could be veteran Tashaun Gipson. Gipson has started 33 of a possible 34 games for the 49ers over the last two seasons and has over 170 games of NFL experience under his belt.

The 12-year veteran may turn 34 years old in August, but he's still playing at a pretty high level. Gipson's 86.0 Pro Football Focus run defense grade in 2023 ranked sixth among 92 qualified safeties.

Among safeties with at least 900 defensive snaps played, only Kevin Byard missed fewer tackles than Gipson. That alone makes him a sizable upgrade over Whitehead, who led all safeties in missed tackles. If the Jets can't/don't want to bring back Clark, Gipson would be a suitable alternative.