Woody Wants Backup QB? 4 Jets Options

New York Jets' owner Woody Johnson expressed the need for a capable backup quarterback to play behind Aaron Rodgers in 2024. A former No. 1 overall draft pick is one of four veteran options to explore.

Woody Johnson said the quiet part out loud during an interview at Thursday evening's NFL Honors event in Las Vegas.

"You need a backup quarterback," said the New York Jets' team owner. "We didn’t have one last year."

Johnson's comment may be seen as coldly dismissive of former No. 2 overall draft pick Zach Wilson, who was forced into QB1 duty when Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season in Week 1.

The 24-year-old Wilson, who was supposed to take a "redshirt" season as Rodgers's understudy, was rather ineffective and was eventually benched for the second straight year. On the way to a 77.2 quarterback rating, Wilson accounted for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions while the Jets' pass offense (171.7) ranked 30th out of 32 teams.

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Whether or not Wilson, who has one year remaining on his rookie contract, is on the Jets' 2024 roster, it sounds as if the front office will pursue a battle-tested insurance policy to back up the 40-year-old Rodgers, who is recovering from an Achilles rupture.

There will be an array of veterans available on the free agent market and the following four options could draw interest from Gang Green.

Jacoby Brissett

The 31-year-old journeyman has made 48 career starts since being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2016. Brissett has passed for 10,574 yards and 51 touchdowns while being intercepted 23 times over 79 appearances. He also has 15 career rushing touchdowns.

In limited action with the Washington Commanders last season, Brissett went 18-of-23 passing for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He nearly orchestrated a comeback victory over the Jets on Christmas Eve, coming off the bench to complete 10 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown in a 30-28 setback.

Tyrod Taylor

The 34-year-old, somewhat undersized sixth-round draft selection out of Virginia Tech, has enjoyed a lengthy NFL career that began as a backup to Joe Flacco on the Super Bowl XLVII Champion Baltimore Ravens. He has recorded an 88.3 quarterback rating over 92 career outings (58 starts). 

Taylor owns a .500 career win percentage as starter, including a 22-20 record with the Buffalo Bills. He accounted for more than 3,000 yards of total offense in each three consecutive seasons (2015-17), a stretch that ended with the franchise's first playoff berth after a 17-year drought. Taylor looked more than capable of executing a gameplan over the final two games for 2023 New York Giants, passing for 616 yards and posting a 68.5 completion percentage.

Jameis Winston

The former No. 1 overall draft pick has managed to produce noteworthy passing numbers, but his career has been marred by interceptions and inconsistency. Over 93 appearances (80 starts), Winston has thrown for 22,104 yards and 141 touchdowns while being picked off 99 times.

Winston, 30, has eclipsed the 4,000-yard passing mark on three different occasions, including a 5,109-yard showing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He totaled only 10 starts in four years after joining the New Orleans Saints in 2020, posting a 6-4 record over that span.

Marcus Mariota

Despite never emerging as a franchise quarterback, Mariota, who directly followed Winston in the 2015 NFL Draft order, has had his share of success as a starter. While at the controls for the Tennessee Titans. he posted winning records three years in a row (2016-18).

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Over 90 career appearances (74 starts), the dual-threat 30-year-old has passed for 15,820 yards and rushed for 2,064 yards. He has 110 total touchdowns. After making 13 starts for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Mariota was used sparingly in a backup role with the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles. 

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