Entering the 2026 NFL offseason, the New York Jets are looking to replace Justin Fields at the quarterback position after a failed $40 million experiment.
While the Jets have $70 million in cap space, they, ideally, wouldn't spend too much more on a free agent quarterback. That's why one of Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, or Tua Tagovailoa is slated to be the favorite for the Jets QB job.
But, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, of those three, there is a clear favorite for the Jets job. Rosenblatt reports that Smith, the former Jets QB, is the "early favorite" to sign with the Jets in free agency on a veteran minimum contract.
Geno Smith is 'favorite' for Jets QB job in 2026
"The Jets will be in on the group of quarterbacks who were cut by their teams and have significant money left on their contracts, which makes them much cheaper to sign," Rosenblatt reports. "Smith feels like the early favorite..."
Murray, Tagovailoa, and Smith fit the description of veteran QBs set to be released by their teams with massive amounts of money still on their contracts.
They will be able to sign for the veteran minimum, making them a possible landing spot for any team. A team like the Miami Dolphins, with limited cap space, can benefit greatly from one of these quarterbacks. As could the Minnesota Vikings.
With the aforementioned Vikings being the favorites for Murray, the Jets have emerged as the favorites for Smith this offseason.
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The two-time Pro Bowler for the Seattle Seahawks had a rough year with the Las Vegas Raiders. He had 19 touchdown passes, 3,025 yards, and 17 interceptions (led the NFL) in 15 games.
Before he joined the Seahawks, he spent four years with the Jets from 2013-2016. He started 30 games and went. 12-18 with a 67.9% completion rate, 5,962 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.
He turned a corner with the Seahawks, starting 49 games across three seasons from 2022-2024, going 27-22 with a 68.5% completion rate, 12,226 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions.
Now he's slated to be a free agent once his release from the Raiders is official, and he will be able to sign with whatever team he wants this offseason. And the Jets, his former team that drafted him over a decade ago, are the early favorites to sign him this offseason.
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