Jets Offseason Breakdown: Quarterback - Questions Continue?

How Aaron Rodgers returns from his Achilles injury is just one of many questions at the quarterback position the New York Jets will need to answer this offseason.

As with every offseason, each position group has its own unique sets of questions each organization must answer. 

For the New York Jets, as has been the case for the better part of 13 years, the only question worth asking is if each position group is strong enough to end a decade-long playoff drought. 

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Throughout the next few weeks, we'll break down exactly where the Jets are regarding each position as they enter the 2024 offseason, and their expectations entering a new NFL season. Along the way, we'll drop some interesting targets the organization could consider, and some of the bigger questions that need to be answered. 

We begin with the most important position in football. 

Jets Quarterback Breakdown

2023 Season In Review

Grade: D+

Things didn't go so well for the Jets after an offseason of added hype due to the Aaron Rodgers addition in the offseason. Four plays into the 2023 season they lost the four-time NFL MVP to a torn Achilles and struggled to find ways to move the ball after him. 

Whether it was Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, or Trevor Siemian, the Jets struggled to do anything offensively in 2023 because of the inconsistencies at quarterback. 

While it is fair to note that not all of New York's offensive problems were on the quarterback, going through four different signal-callers in back-to-back years is never a good sign of offensive stability. 

Quarterbacks On Roster: Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson

Pending Free Agents: Trevor Siemian

Important Questions

What happens with Zach Wilson?

For a third straight season, the former second-overall pick Zach Wilson was benched in the middle of the season. While no one can fully blame Wilson for why the Jets season became a disaster, his overall play simply wasn't good enough again. 

So what happens to Wilson now? Recent reports dating back to Thanksgiving indicated that the Jets will be moving on from Wilson this offseason and allow him a fresh start elsewhere. 

The big question surrounding Wilson will be whether he is traded or given his release from the team. If there is an organization that feels they could rebuild the BYU product as a passer, then a fourth or fifth-round pick might be going back New York's way. That's the best-case scenario though. 

Can Aaron Rodgers be trusted to play a full 17-game season?

Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. When he's healthy, the Jets will be considered a potential Super Bowl team with quality weapons and a strong defense as well. 

The issue? Can Rodgers stay healthy for a full 17-game season now that he's 40 years old and coming off major surgery? 

One big part of the future Hall of Famer's future is the fact that he did not opt for full surgery when he tore his Achilles. Instead, he decided on the "speed bridge" procedure that essentially expedites the recovery process. The fact that he'll get more than a full nine months to recover from the injury is important, but there's a significant drop-off when star quarterbacks get older. 

Can the Jets trust the face of their franchise to still play at a high level?

Which backup quarterback best suits the Jets? 

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General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh both stated that the team would be addressing the backup quarterback position after two straight years of instability. 

That means a top veteran signal-caller who has starting experience will surely be the backup to Rodgers in 2024. 

Which quarterback is the best fit, though?

With pass game coordinator Todd Downing returning, Ryan Tannehill could likely be an option as he leaves Tennessee. Other quarterbacks like Gardner Minshew or Jacoby Brissett could be options as well due to their familiarity with the West Coast offensive system. 

Realistic Targets

Free Agency

Ryan Tannehill

Jacoby Brissett

Tyrod Taylor

In reality, any free-agent quarterback should be considered for the role to play in case Rodgers gets hurt again. Tannehill and Brissett both have experience in the kind of offense New York wants to run. 

A player like Taylor, though, could be instrumental. 

While the veteran scrambler has shown an ability to win through the air, it's his abilities on the ground that could provide New York with some added cushion should they need him to replace Rodgers for a week or so. 

The Jets are expected to get a veteran mind that plays in an offense similar to Rodgers and the others on the roster but don't discount the importance of having a quarterback who can create big plays on his own. 

NFL Draft

Jordan Travis

Spencer Rattler

Michael Pratt

While the Jets will most assuredly sign a quarterback to back up Rodgers, it's also likely that the team will look to draft a quarterback in the later rounds to be more of a "project" of sorts. 

Travis, Rattler, and Pratt all have their issues that could bounce themselves into Day Three of April's selection process, but they all have qualities that make them viable options if they are coached properly. 

QB Of Future: Could Jets Target Senior Bowl MVP?

Travis has a leg injury that could turn him from a potential first-round pick to a late-round wonder. Rattler hasn't shown the ability to dominate despite his impressive intangibles, and Pratt is a sleeper in the entire class. 

All are interesting, all have their questions. 

They could all be the long-term answer at the position for the Jets when Rodgers eventually ends up retiring. 

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