It's no secret that the New York Jets need a quarterback, but who they come away with remains to be seen.
Of course, a rebuilding team like the Jets would love to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, but the problem is there doesn't figure to be any signal-callers worthy of a selection in that spot.
Knowing that, the Jets are going to search for a bridge starter, whether that be in free agency or through trade.
According to SNY's Connor Hughes, the Jets have their eyes on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, Minnesota Vikings pending free-agent quarterback Carson Wentz, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
However, of those three, new offensive coordinator Frank Reich prefers Wentz, Hughes adds.
"No Kirk Cousins, but watch Geno Smith and Carson Wentz. There is interest there. Jacoby Brissett, too, if Cardinals can be convinced to part," Hughes reported. "One source told me that the QB Reich prefers is Wentz."
Hughes goes on to add that the Cardinals' willingness to part ways with Brissett, who is still under contract, will depend upon the team's ability to sign Jimmy Garoppolo away from the Los Angeles Rams.
There was once a belief that Wentz and Reich had a rift during their days together with the Indianapolis Colts, but Hughes reveals that is not the case.
"Wentz might surprise some, because of the notion Frank Reich/Wentz relationship fell apart in Indianapolis. From my understanding, that was more GM/owner, not coach. The two remain very close," Hughes said.
Outside of a brief stint as the Washington Commanders' starter in 2022, Wentz has been a backup since his stint in Indianapolis with Reich didn't pan out.
Wentz started in five games with the Vikings last season in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy, completing 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns to five picks. He also suffered a shoulder injury that ended his season early.
Smith, who is still under contract but is expected to be traded or released with the Raiders set to draft Fernando Mendoza, was one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL last season and was a turnover machine.
Smith completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns to a league-high 17 picks.
The veteran played poorly, no doubt, but he was also in a dysfunctional offense that lacked talent and competent play-calling. If placed in a better situation, it's possible he could return to the Pro Bowl form we saw in Seattle.
Brissett actually played the best out of these three quarterbacks last season. In fact, he was so good in place of an injured Kyler Murray that the Cardinals were primed to bench Murray for Brissett before Murray's injury ended up being season-ending.
In all, Brissett played in 14 games (12 starts) and threw for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns to eight picks while completing 64.9% of his passes.
Sure, none of these guys would amount to an exciting addition, but this is just the position the Jets find themselves in. They won't be attractive to the more high-profile free-agent quarterbacks, so they'll have to settle for the next tier.
More NFL News