There have been a lot of discussions this week about who the New York Jets could look to add to their quarterback depth chart. Following the season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers, they are going to have to eventually make a move.
Zach Wilson is set to take over as the team’s starter once again. The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has reportedly shown signs of improvement this offseason after working with Rodgers as the backup.
Even if that wasn’t true, New York had no one else to turn to as he was the only other quarterback on the 53-man roster. The Jets will likely elevate Tim Boyle from the practice squad to be his backup, but someone else will need to be added eventually.
The question is, who will the Jets target? Will it be just a body, someone, to have on the practice squad in case of an emergency as a third quarterback? Or will the Jets look to bring in a player capable of competing for the starting spot against Wilson?
If they opt for the latter, one player to keep an eye on is Jameis Winston of the New Orleans Saints. Winston was passed over again for the starting job this season, as the Saints signed Derek Carr in free agency. They followed that up by selecting Jake Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Haener is currently serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, so Winston is locked in as the backup for the time being. However, over at BetOnline, Winston has been installed as the favorite for the next quarterback the Jets acquire.
Winston’s odds are at +350, followed by Nick Foles at +450 and Colt McCoy at +650. Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz round out the top five at +700 and +750. Winston is the only one of those five currently on an NFL roster, so the Jets would have to make a trade for him; the others they could sign off of free agency.
This will be something worth keeping an eye on as the Jets don’t seem to be actively pursuing an addition at this time. But, a third quarterback will have to be added eventually, and whoever they opt to add will be a telling sign about their confidence level in Wilson.
