NY Jets sign UFL MVP quarterback to develop behind Aaron Rodgers

The Jets have added the reigning UFL MVP to their QB room

Justin Fried

Adrian Martinez / Matthew Stockman/UFL/GettyImages

The NY Jets are cycling through young quarterbacks in an attempt to find a quality developmental option this summer. Their latest addition has a bit more name value than the others, at least if you consider spring football accolades.

The Jets announced on Saturday that they had signed reigning UFL MVP Adrian Martinez and released undrafted rookie Ben Bryant, signed on Thursday, in a corresponding move.

Martinez was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions in 2023 before being waived as part of final roster cuts. He joined the UFL's Birmingham Stallions in December and went on to be named the league's inaugural MVP.

The former Nebraska standout would go on to lead his team to a UFL Championship title a few days later en route to being named the 2024 UFL Championship MVP. Now, Martinez has been given another NFL opportunity.

Adrian Martinez has a real chance to stick around with the NY Jets

Martinez was a highly-touted four-star recruit when he stepped foot on Nebraska's campus in 2018. The Fresno native because the first true freshman quarterback to begin the season as a starter in program history.

An encouraging freshman season left many Nebraska fans excited about his future, but Martinez never lived up to expectations with the Cornhuskers. He'd transfer to Kansas State for his final year of eligibility in 2022, splitting time at quarterback with Will Howard.

Martinez was used in a similar two-quarterback setup in Birmingham this past season, splitting reps with former NFL quarterback Matt Corral before eventually taking over as the full-time starter.

In 10 games (seven starts), Martinez threw for 15 touchdowns, 1,748 yards, and just three interceptions, completing 58.5 percent of his passes. He also added 528 yards and three touchdowns on 9.7 yards per carry.

At 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, Martinez has an NFL-caliber arm and is a tough runner with the ball in his hands. His inconsistencies as a passer led to him going undrafted, but he has the traits to be able to play at this level. That makes him an intriguing developmental option.

Martinez should receive plenty of opportunities to make an impact this summer. Rookie Jordan Travis is still sidelined rehabbing his leg injury, leaving Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, and undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley as the only healthy quarterbacks on the Jets' roster.

Rodgers and Taylor seem unlikely to play much in the preseason and Peasley has been struggling in practice this week. Martinez should have an opportunity to beat out Peasley for a potential practice squad spot.

Martinez is the 25th UFL player to sign with an NFL team this offseason, joining offensive guard Kohl Levao, who signed with the Jets last month. Here's to hoping he's able to impress and carve out a role this summer.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.