The Jets’ seemingly annual game of trying to find a quarterback is about to begin in earnest for the 2017 season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith are free agents and unlikely to return. That leaves youngsters Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, who are not expected to be viewed as ready to start on Day 1 this year by the coaching staff.
The Jets could bring in a veteran to start or at least compete with Petty and Hackenberg, or take another quarterback in the draft this year, which would be the fifth straight year the Jets drafted a quarterback.
The choices are not pretty for the Jets. Here is a look at 10 possible options, from most likely to least:
Mike Glennon, Buccaneers: A free agent, Glennon has interested the Jets in the past. A starter in 2013, Glennon lost his job to Josh McCown and then Jameis Winston. The biggest question mark with Glennon is what his price tag will be. If the Jets could get him for essentially a two-year deal, they probably would jump.
Brian Hoyer, Bears: The Jets have flirted with Hoyer in each of the past two offseasons. Last year, they had him in for a visit before he signed with the Bears. The 31-year-old played well in Chicago before breaking his left arm. He is an ideal bridge quarterback.
Josh McCown, free agent: The Browns released McCown on Tuesday, meaning he can be signed before the new league year in March if a team chooses to. The Jets met with him two years ago before trading for Fitzpatrick. The 37-year-old is very well-liked around the league, including by Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall, a former teammate.
Matt Barkley, Bears: The Jets have shown an inclination to recreate the 2009 USC Trojans with the hiring of offensive coordinator John Morton and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. Barkley was the quarterback of that team. Is a reunion coming?
Deshaun Watson, Clemson/Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina: Let’s combine these two as the top quarterback options with the No. 6 pick. Would Mike Maccagnan really draft a quarterback in the first round after taking Hackenberg last year in the second? If he falls in love, he would, but this would be an extremely risky pick – one that can cost Maccagnan his job if he’s wrong.
Tony Romo, Cowboys: Dallas is expected to either trade or cut Romo with the emergence of Dak Prescott. A marriage with the Jets seems highly unlikely. First, why would Romo want to play for the Jets? At 36, he is looking for a winner. Second, the Jets could be scared off by Romo’s injury history.
Jay Cutler, Bears: It appears the relationship between the Bears and Cutler has come to an end. Past Jets regimes have been interested in Cutler, but he makes no sense at this point in his career. He is a locker-room problem whose skills have diminished.
Geno Smith, Jets: Smith is coming off ACL surgery and could have a tough time finding suitors. If the Jets find themselves unimpressed with the options on the market, could they bring Smith back on a one-year deal? Stranger things have happened.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Patriots: New England is expected to deal Garoppolo this offseason. There is 0.00001 percent chance Bill Belichick trades him to the Jets.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers: Kaepernick can void his contract, a move that is expected. He has history with Morton, but can anyone imagine owner Woody Johnson signing off on this? Johnson is about to take a role in the Trump administration. Would he really want to sign someone who is going to protest before every game? Can’t see it.
Other names to watch: AJ McCarron (Bengals), Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Tyrod Taylor (Bills), Matt Schaub (Falcons), Deshone Kizer (Notre Dame), Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech)
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