The New York Jets need some type of answer at quarterback for the 2023 season and beyond. Which direction should the team take? General Manager Joe Douglas took a big swing when he drafted former BYU Cougar Zach Wilson with the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
That unfortunately blew up in his face, and the Jets would be wise to admit their mistake and turn the page before it gets too late. Douglas has largely done a great job building up the roster, and now it’s in a position where some of the core young players are on rookie deals.
If there was ever a time for the Jets to make a big move at quarterback, it’s this offseason. Given that the team was at one point 7-4 during the 2022 regular season with their abysmal quarterback play, just imagine where they could be with average play from under center.
What are three options at quarterback for the New York Jets in the 2023 season?
New York Jets: 3 options at quarterback for the 2023 season
Jimmy Garoppolo, 2023 free agent
The most obvious choice here for the Jets might be Jimmy Garoppolo. There are some connections with Robert Saleh, who was formerly the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. One of his former teammates, Laken Tomlinson, signed with them last year.
It’s a logical fit, as the Jets will continue to run that Shanahan-style offense, which Garoppolo has excelled in. The biggest issue here is his injury history, as he does not consistently stay on the field, and concerns about his ceiling is valid.
He’s not particularly mobile and isn’t exactly one to drive the ball down the field. Could Garoppolo adequately run the offense when it gets cold in November and December?
Garoppolo gives the New York Jets a short-term option and likely thrusts them into the playoff picture.
New York Jets: 3 options at quarterback for the 2023 season
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr was unceremoniously benched and sent home late in the 2022 season. It essentially guaranteed that he was not going to be on the team going into next season. After nine years, it seems like Carr’s near decade tenure will come to an end in the silver and black.
Carr has 217 touchdown passes and 99 interceptions, good for a passer rating in the low 90s. He’s also thrown for over 30,000 yards and has been nothing but consistent during his career. Carr, to me, is a longer term option than Jimmy Garoppolo would be.
I’m a bit higher on him than most, I think. He’s not special, but you don’t throw for over 200 touchdowns and 30,000 yards being a bad or below average quarterback. Given the way that the Raiders cut ties with him a few weeks, ago, I don’t anticipate the trade package being all that much.
Also, if Joe Douglas missed this badly on Zach Wilson, how do we know he could get the quarterback right if he decided to take another one in the upcoming NFL Draft?
New York Jets: 3 options at quarterback for the 2023 season
Draft someone in the first round
Joe Douglas has been seen moving around the draft boards, so this might be something he’d entertain. I would assume that he’d have to fall in love with someone, as picking 13th overall and likely needing to get into the top five would cost quite a bit.
Bryce Young is probably not in play. CJ Stroud has not technically declared, so that is something to monitor. His best chance might be Will Levis from Kentucky, or even Anthony Richardson from Florida.
If he were to take someone in the draft, we could expect them to still sign or acquire some type of veteran bridge quarterback, perhaps of the Andy Dalton mold.
Long-term, this is the smart play. However, as I mentioned previously, the New York Jets have a ton of quality young players on their rookie contracts, so this is the time to chase a Super Bowl.
Even if the New York Jets were to acquire someone like Garoppolo or Carr, they could still use one of their top picks on a signal caller.