7 free agent QBs the NY Jets can sign as upgrades over Zach Wilson

The NY Jets can't go on like this. After another inept performance from Zach Wilson and the team's offense against the New England Patriots in Week 3, a change has to be made at the quarterback position.

Wilson has started a remarkable 24 games in his NFL career. He has just 17 touchdowns and a sub-55 completion percentage to show for it. Few quarterbacks in modern NFL history who have played as much as Wilson has boast worse stat lines.

Wilson truly is one of the worst quarterbacks in recent NFL history. He's not a starting-caliber QB. He's not even backup-caliber. He's downright unplayable at this point.

In reality, there are a host of free-agent quarterbacks (many of whom are quite bad!) who would be upgrades over Wilson. Here is a look at seven free agents the Jets should consider signing.

7. The NY Jets can sign Josh Johnson

There is a slight caveat with this entry, but for the moment, Josh Johnson is a free agent after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The expectation is that Johnson will be re-signed, but it's unclear if he will rejoin their active roster or be added to their practice squad.

Since he's available right now, however, he belongs on this list. Johnson would undoubtedly be an upgrade over the quarterback the Jets are currently trotting out.

The well-traveled NFL veteran put together one of the best quarterback performances by a Jets player in recent memory in 2021 and has proven to be a capable spot starter on a number of occasions.

The Jets aren't going to win the Super Bowl with Johnson, but they should at least be able to run a competent offense. If there's any chance to sign him this week, the Jets shouldn't hesitate.

6. The NY Jets can sign Joe Flacco

Another former Jets quarterback who remains unsigned is veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco has spent the better part of the last three seasons with the Jets, and he's made it clear that he isn't ready to hang up the cleats just yet.

There's no denying he would be an upgrade over Wilson, either. In quite literally the same offense, with the same supporting cast, Flacco has posted better career numbers with the Jets than — and it isn't particularly close.

In fact, Flacco is statistically the best quarterback that Robert Saleh has coached during his time with the Jets. That's not saying much (or really anything), but it is true.

Flacco may be a statue in the pocket, but he can at least operate an NFL offense. That's better than anything Wilson can do right now.

5. The NY Jets can sign Nick Foles

Nick Foles in 2023 isn't the same Nick Foles who made the Pro Bowl in 2013 or who helped lead his team to a miraculous Super Bowl win in 2018. That said, he would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Wilson.

Foles started two games for the Indianapolis Colts last season and was quite bad. He failed to throw a single touchdown, finishing with four interceptions and a sub-60 completion percentage.

That said, he found a bit more success with his previous stints in Chicago and Jacksonville. Foles is a below-average backup quarterback at this stage, but that's still better than what the Jets are getting from Wilson.

He wouldn't be a solution. He likely wouldn't move the needle much. But he would be an upgrade, and that's what the Jets should be looking for.

4. The NY Jets can sign Chase Daniel

Everyone's favorite backup quarterback, Chase Daniel actually announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this month. That said, perhaps he'd be willing to return for the right opportunity.

Daniel spent the entirety of his 13-year NFL career as a backup, starting only five of the 74 games he appeared in. He made a living as a capable NFL backup, and in reality, that would be a significant upgrade for the Jets right now.

Daniel has just nine career touchdown passes in 13 seasons. He's gone 2-3 in his five games as a starter. He hasn't even started a game since 2019.

None of that matters, though. Daniel has proven to be a reliable backup quarterback. That makes him a sizable upgrade over what the Jets currently have at their disposal.

3. The NY Jets can sign Matt Ryan

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported on Sunday that veteran quarterback Matt Ryan has reached out to the Jets about coming out of retirement to play this season. To this point, the Jets have shown no interest.

One has to wonder if the performance of Zach Wilson on Sunday changes anything. Ryan retired from the NFL this offseason and has since become a regular broadcaster for CBS. He'd still be a significant upgrade over Wilson.

Ryan started 12 games for the Colts in 2022, finishing with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while still completing 67 percent of his passes. He may be a shell of his former self, but Ryan is still a capable and efficient NFL quarterback.

The biggest downside with Ryan is his lack of mobility, but the Jets would gladly trade Wilson's escapability for Ryan's competence. He should be in serious consideration.

2. The NY Jets can sign Colt McCoy

The most obvious and likely quarterback addition for the Jets is Colt McCoy. The Jets have reportedly reached out to two quarterbacks at the time of writing — Chad Henne and McCoy.

Henne, who retired this offseason, has no interest in returning to the NFL. That leaves McCoy as the most likely signing the Jets could make.

The 13-year NFL veteran was set to start for the Arizona Cardinals as of less than a month ago. In six starts with the Cardinals over the last two seasons, McCoy completed a whopping 71 percent of his passes, throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions.

He's hardly the most exciting option, but there's no doubt that McCoy would be an upgrade over Wilson. McCoy is a perfectly capable NFL QB, which is exactly what the Jets need right now.

1. The NY Jets can sign Carson Wentz

There is no better quarterback option for the Jets in free agency than Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 overall pick has seen his stock plummet over the last few seasons, but despite his recent struggles, it is surprising that he's not on an NFL roster.

Wentz is just two years removed from a genuinely good season with the Colts in 2021, in which he finished with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Wentz completed over 62 percent of his passes and averaged 6.9 yards per attempt that season.

His 2022 season with the Commanders was a significant step back, but Wentz is still, at worst, a high-end backup. There likely aren't 32 quarterbacks better than him at this stage.

Wentz is a mistake-proven, volatile quarterback who can lose his team games, but he also has the highest upside of any quarterback on the open market. If the Jets are serious about competing this season, they'll return Wentz's call.