The New York Jets have reportedly chosen the quarterback to replace Aaron Rodgers in the 2025 NFL season. According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the team is comfortable with giving Tyrod Taylor a chance to start after having him as Rodgers’ backup in 2024.
“People who have met with the New York Jets tell me the team is ready to go into the season with Tyrod Taylor as its starting quarterback, but the Jets will look to draft their signal caller of the future on Day 2 of this year’s draft. Taylor’s history is one where he’s had great success as a spot starter in the league,” Pauline wrote.
However, it appears that a young quarterback wouldn’t be the only competition Taylor would face this offseason. In fact, the Jets are reportedly monitoring three quarterbacks who were first-round picks to boost their QB room after Rodgers‘ exit in 2025.
According to Connor Hughes of SNY, the Jets‘ intention is to have another veteran quarterback apart from Taylor before using a second-round pick on a young signal-caller. Therefore, the report claims Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields, and Carson Wentz are on the team’s radar.
Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Jets looks on during the first half of their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“The Jets are far more likely to dabble in the second-tier-veteran-quarterback market, sources who met with the team in Indianapolis told SNY. They came away from those meetings believing that the Jets’ plan is to pair Tyrod Taylor with another veteran and then draft someone on Day 2 (or trade up late in the first round to have the fifth-year option). Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields and Carson Wentz are three names to keep an eye on, per sources,” Hughes wrote.
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Marcus Mariota’s experience in the NFL
Perhaps the name that makes the most noise here is Mariota. Selected with the second overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Oregon product entered the league with high expectations around him after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2014.
However, Mariota couldn’t exactly carry his college success to the pro level. The Titans gave up on him after four years, but his two-year tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders left a lot to be desired as well. His last opportunity as a starter came in 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Marcus Mariota #0 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the New York Jets in the first half of the preseason game against at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Commanders 20-17.
After that experience, Mariota had to settle with backup jobs with the Philadelphia Eagles (2023) and Washington Commanders (2024). A free agent this offseason, the Jets could provide the 31-year-old a long-awaited chance to compete for a starting job.
Another chance for Carson Wentz?
Wentz entered the NFL only a year after Mariota, also as a second-overall pick. An ACL injury in his second year ended an exciting start to his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it took a toll on his future.
Wentz’s last job as a starter in the NFL also came in 2022 with the Washington Commanders, where he finished the year on the bench after suffering an injury halfway through the campaign. His previous stop with the Indianapolis Colts fell short of expectations as well.
Carson Wentz (11) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead.
Still, Wentz will be an intriguing name this offseason, with the 32-year-old expected to draw interest from multiple NFL teams this month. His one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs is up, and an AFC rival has already been linked as a potential landing spot for Patrick Mahomes’ latest backup.
Justin Fields, another option for the Jets
Perhaps the most exciting name of this list is Fields, who is younger than Mariota and Cousins. He was also a first-round selection but in 2021, when the Chicago Bears landed him with the 11th overall pick.
Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline in the second quarter of a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.
After spending last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Fields worked behind Russell Wilson but still saw significant playing time, the 25-year-old’s future looks unclear. A fresh start in New York with a legitimate chance to start could be interesting, but it remains to be seen whether the Steelers do something to keep him.
