The New York Jets are filling their quarterback role for the 2026 NFL season with Geno Smith.
Beyond that? Maybe the 2026 NFL Draft will hold an answer.
ESPN's Ben Solak actually thinks the Jets will have a chance in the later rounds to snag a quarterback with legitimate upside: Cole Payton of North Dakota State.
In a new article on Wednesday, Solak suggests that Payton could be there at the 179th pick (fifth round) for the Jets. If he's there, Solak writes that Payton would be the "perfect fit."
"He provides short-yardage value as an option quarterback, with a bulky frame and great tackle-breaking ability," Solak writes. "Most QB runners are long striders who avoid contact, but Payton can actually run through it like a goal-line back. As a one-year starter, the lefty showed a good willingness to test intermediate and downfield windows. Payton has a huge dip in his throwing motion, and retooling his release into a quicker motion would help make up for average ball velocity. He isn't ready for a full dropback menu right now, but there's a legit ceiling here for a guy who has flashed pro-style throws in limited opportunities."
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Solak also points out that Jets coach Aaron Glenn is a fan of mobile quarterbacks. Just because Justin Fields didn't work out, that doesn't mean there couldn't be a different solution out there.
And then ESPN's analyst goes so far as to compare Payton's upside to that of a Super Bowl-winning QB.
"Payton is unlikely to see enough game action (or produce enough if he does) to deter the Jets from investing early in a 2027 draft class QB1," Solak writes. "If he does hit, he has a high dual-threat ceiling profile in the mold of Jalen Hurts. Of all the gambles a team could take on Day 3, Payton is my favorite."
Just that paragraph alone should make the Jets want to give Payton a shot. The cost shouldn't be too high, but there's an excitement factor there that could actually work out brilliantly.
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