This Jets fan argument against drafting a quarterback is deeply flawed

The New York Jets will face a crucial decision at the quarterback position in the coming months, for what feels like an annual tradition at this point. A growing portion of Jets fans has rallied around the idea that the team should avoid selecting a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft, not necessarily because of the prospects themselves, but out of fear.

Fear that the current coaching staff would ruin a young passer. Fear that Aaron Glenn cannot be trusted. Fear that the offensive infrastructure is not good enough to support proper development. Given the Jets’ recent history, that skepticism is understandable. But it's also deeply flawed.

At its core, the argument assumes that a quarterback can be permanently derailed by one imperfect season under an unstable coaching staff. Recent NFL history simply does not support that idea.

Drake Maye survived a turbulent rookie year under Jerod Mayo and has emerged as an MVP candidate under Mike Vrabel. Caleb Williams played through dysfunction under Matt Eberflus and now finds himself shining with Ben Johnson.

If a quarterback is truly franchise caliber, truly the guy, one flawed season does not erase his talent. If it does, he was never the answer to begin with.

The Jets can't let fear get in the way of their 2026 QB plans

What actually ruins quarterbacks is not coaching turnover, but personnel, specifically poor offensive line play. Constant pressure forces young passers into bad habits, rushed mechanics, and “happy feet” that are hard to break.

That is where the Jets are actually positioned well. For the first time in years, they have a legitimate offensive line foundation in place. Protection and structure matter far more to a young quarterback’s long-term development than whether his coordinator stays in place for three straight seasons.

Another misconception fueling this fan argument is the belief that the current offensive staff is static. While skepticism exists around the overall offensive staff, that does not mean development is doomed.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has shown signs of promise, and more importantly, coaching staffs change quickly across the league. Quarterback coaches and assistants are replaced regularly, sometimes annually.

The Jets seem almost certain to make changes to their staff this offseason, with quarterbacks coach Charles London a likely candidate to be replaced. Drafting a quarterback is a commitment to the player, not a binding agreement to freeze the staff around him indefinitely.

Many fans have chosen to counter with a long-term plan instead. They want the Jets to wait until 2027, when the team will have three first-round picks and access to a supposedly “better” quarterback class. That idea sounds appealing until reality sets in.

The same optimism once surrounded the 2026 class, which featured names like LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, and Texas's Arch Manning. A lot changed in one year. There is also no guarantee the Jets are picking high enough in 2027 to even access those players.

That uncertainty is precisely why opportunity is important here. If the Jets find themselves in a position to draft a quarterback they believe in this year — whether it is Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, or someone else — waiting is not a plan. It would be a gamble.

That's a gamble the current Jets regime realistically cannot afford to take. Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey do not have the luxury of waiting until 2027. They need progress in 2026.

If the Jets are picking near the top of the draft again two years from now, Glenn likely will not be the one making that pick. That reality alone makes delaying the quarterback decision counterproductive. It's not going to happen unless the organization has a viable alternative.

Skepticism is fair. Fear-driven decision-making is not. If the Jets believe a quarterback in this class can be the future, they cannot let the anxiety of failure stop them. The teams that stay stuck are the ones that keep waiting for the perfect situation.