Jets’ quarterback solution could come from most unexpected answer this offseason, but it could work
The New York Jets could have a new quarterback option this offseason with Derek Carr eyeing a return, and it could work if they still draft one too.
2025 was a roller coaster of a season for the New York Jets that had high expectations, but quickly turned into a rebuild for the franchise.
The Jets do have several questions still to answer this offseason, and the bold moves they made at the trade deadline helped set them up for a rebuild. The team traded away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, and loaded up on draft ammo for the next two NFL Draft classes.
The biggest question that needs to be resolved this offseason is the void at the quarterback position, and they could get an answer from the most unexpected player.
QB Derek Carr is eyeing a return to the NFL
The NFL is an unpredictable league, and the Jets could experience that firsthand if they look to QB Derek Carr as their next option this offseason. Carr retired last May after suffering a labral tear in his shoulder, but reports say that he is open to a return after taking time off to heal.
The reports say that Carr has no shoulder limitations anymore, and he’s been throwing routinely and already has interest from multiple teams. NFL Network’s insiders also said that the Cincinnati Bengals reached out to Carr once Joe Burrow went down, and they aren’t the only team.
The Jets have an argument to add the 34-year-old quarterback this offseason, but only if they still add a long-term solution at the position.
The Jets could add Derek Carr if they still draft a young quarterback
This is an awful offseason to be a team that needs a quarterback, but the Jets need to exhaust all options to get the position right for once. The New Orleans Saints still hold the rights to Carr, so the Jets would have to trade for him, but it shouldn’t take more than a Day Three pick to land him, and the Jets have more than plenty of draft ammo.
Carr would be a solid option this offseason with a very weak free agency group that will likely be headlined by Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, and Kirk Cousins once he’s released. Carr could be a cheaper route to go with less risk, and the Jets can still draft a quarterback to develop behind him, and possibly take over during the season.
This isn’t a great quarterback class with Dante Moore going back to college, but they have to swing and hope to land the right one. The best-case scenario is that the Jets land a quarterback like Carr before the NFL Draft and take a quarterback like Ty Simpson with their No. 33 overall pick to hopefully be the long-term solution in the future.