As the NFL world crumbles in on itself over the weight of Sunday's major news dump of contract extensions, trades, and free agent rumors, the New York Jets appear to be getting closer to a decision on who they want as their next quarterback.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With the legal tampering period just hours away from kicking off, the Jets know they need to figure out who they want as their next signal-caller with players in free agency like Justin Fields and others in the draft like Cam Ward drawing keen interest.
Fields could very well end up staying with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward is expected to be drafted well before the Jets make their pick at seven as well.
They might have a contingency plan in place, though. One that ESPN's Rich Cimini is perfectly comfortable with sharing regarding Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart.
"Based on conversations with league sources, this is a likely avenue for the Jets," Cimini said. "Typically, new regimes look to reset the depth chart on teams without clear-cut starters. They want to draft and develop their own, allowing him to grow up in their program.
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"Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss is widely regarded as the third-best quarterback prospect, behind Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Spielman has stated his affinity for Dart, who backed up a strong 2024 season (4,279 yards, 29 TDs) with a terrific showing at the Senior Bowl and a solid combine. Dart's rising stock could put him in the first round, according to some evaluators. Picking seventh, the Jets could be in no man's land -- too low for Ward and Sanders, too high for Dart. If he's their target, it might require some maneuvering. They also have the 42nd pick."
Dart excelled at the scouting combine in Indianapolis last week and appears to be shooting up draft boards the more the process continues.
He wouldn't necessarily be a bad pick for the Jets - even if they have to wait a bit to see if the return is strong enough moving forward.
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This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM.