Justin Fields
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Neither Tyrod Taylor nor Justin Fields will be the Jets starting QB in 2026.
The New York Jets are devoid a starting-caliber quarterback on their roster, yet one that was recently made available could be a fit for 2026.
The Jets were named as one of the five-best landing spot for Kyler Murray by NFL.com’s Kevin Patra after the Arizona Cardinals inevitably release him next week.
The Jets will pick second overall in the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh next month. Yet they will likely need to target a non-QB since only Indiana star and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will be top-10-pick worthy — and the Las Vegas Raiders are deemed a lock to select him first overall.
The Jets will have two QBs on their roster when the league calendar rolls next week, Justin Fields and Brady Cook, with Tyrod Taylor and Hendon Hooker set to become free agents. Fields is unlikely to play for the Jets again after his forgettable 1,257-yard, seven-TD, one-interception season in nine starts before he was unseated by Taylor.
The Jets Could Target Kyler Murray in Free Agency
Murray may be out in Arizona, but he has shown glimpses of greatness when healthy. The 5-10, 207-pound QB was a two-time Pro Bowler for the Cardinals and is just one season removed from completing 68.8% of his passes while throwing for 3,851 yards and 21 TDs and rushing for 572 yards and five scores.
That’s the type of QB the Jets need and one that could quickly turn their fortunes around, according to Patra, and New York could be an attractive landing spot for Murray, even though the Jets have had a revolving door of QBs over the past two decades.
“Murray presents a chance to bridge the gap to the future without costing assets or cap space,” Patra wrote. “The Jets aren’t devoid of talent on offense for Murray, with a stud No. 1 receiver (Garrett Wilson), a dynamic running back (Breece Hall) and a couple of promising, young bookend blockers (Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou).
“A QB could do much worse in this market. Unlike some other spots on this list, New York would also offer an unimpeded path to the starting gig in 2026.”
Of course, Fields and Aaron Rodgers had the same talented complements at their disposal and couldn’t make it work. But with the Cardinals poised to pick up most of his nearly $37 million in guaranteed money, Murray makes a lot of sense as the Jets QB in 2026 while they figure out the future.
“He might not offer the size new offensive coordinator Frank Reich prefers, but given the alternatives, he’s the best bet in the current market,” Patra wrote. “The Jets desperately need competent QB play. Murray’s upside brings more. The price would allow Gang Green to spend their cash and draft picks on supporting players for their eventual future quarterback.”
The Jets Will Have Competition for Kyler Murray’s Services
That the Jets have the starting-QB opening is attractive to Murray’s camp, but New York won’t be the only potential landing spot for him.
Patra named the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and rival Miami Dolphins all as potential landing spots for Murray. The Steelers, Dolphins and Vikings may offer Murray the chance to start in 2026, as well, and on teams that were far more competent than the 3-14 Jets.
Yet, Murray may have competition from baseball too, since the Athletics are also “keeping the door open” for him to go back to the diamond. Murray was the A’s first-round pick in 2018 yet eschewed baseball for the gridiron when the Cardinals picked him with the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.