Jets face nightmare quarterback scenario in ESPN projection that paints troubling picture for 2026
That’s not the ideal outcome for New York.
The quarterback search is once again inevitable for the New York Jets — and this isn’t news for a team that has historically circled through players at the most important position in football.
Presuming Justin Fields will get released, the Jets only have Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe at QB for 2026, so general manager Darren Mougey will have to look for options, whether it’s in the draft or free agency.
But ESPN brings a different possibility. Analyst Seth Walder predicted the starting quarterback for all 32 teams heading into 2026, and the Jets’ choice is current New Orleans Saints backup Spencer Rattler.
“The Jets were the hardest team for me to predict in this exercise. There are so many feasible candidates. New York certainly could be a landing place for a non-Mendoza rookie quarterback, and it would make sense for the Jets to be in the Willis sweepstakes. If they want a stable veteran, perhaps the Jets would look at Cousins or Derek Carr, though neither would be the necessary long-term solution. Or New York could contemplate a few trade candidates, with Mac Jones, Tanner McKee and Rattler among them.
Though he ultimately gave way to rookie Tyler Shough, Rattler was solid last season in New Orleans. He recorded a 50.3 QBR and a plus-3% completion percentage over expected, and his 9% off-target rate was the lowest among all QBs with at least 100 pass attempts. The 2024 fifth-round pick is entering his third season, so he could still improve. And Rattler likely would cost less on the trade market than Jones, as well.” — Seth Walder
Why this is a nightmare scenario for the Jets
Theoretically, Spencer Rattler does make sense for the Jets. It wouldn’t be expensive, as he’s set to make $1.075 million in 2026 and $1.19 million in 2027, and Rattler is only 25.
However, there are several reasons for the Jets not to make it. First, there are two years of bad QB play evidence — despite some flashes, Rattler has 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a concerning 5.2% turnover-worthy play rate.
The Jets don’t have a great environment. The offensive line was 26th in pass block win rate last season, and there’s not many receiving weapons outside of Garrett Wilson. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich didn’t have much success in his last stop on the Carolina Panthers, so putting an erratic young quarterback out there is a recipe for failure.
More than that, the Jets are not in position to spend draft capital. They must keep their picks and invest in the future instead of using resources on a bridge quarterback.
Head coach Aaron Glenn will have a tough time keeping his job after 2026 anyway, so adding a reliable veteran without wasting draft picks is the most sensible way to operate.