Jets lock in on $75m Justin Fields replacement in clearest sign yet they are tanking for Arch Manning

New York Jets fans hoping for a marquee signing to replace Justin Fields may be left disappointed.

After the franchise’s bold Aaron Rodgers trade backfired, Fields was brought in on a two-year, $40 million contract in 2025.

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A year later, Gang Green are back in the market for a quarterback after Fields was benched for Tyrod Taylor mid-season.

The Jets have around $73 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, but general manager Darren Mougey is not expected to splash out despite Aaron Glenn going 3-14 in his first season as head coach.

“Mougey is not someone who believes in shopping at the top of free agency,” wrote The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt. “He’s a prudent GM who believes in building through the draft, as well as another truth that many in the NFL — including, previously, the organization he now leads — have failed to understand for a long time: There is usually a reason players are hitting free agency.

“Just think about how much it was celebrated when the Jets signed left tackle Tyron Smith in 2024. Smith is a future Hall of Famer. He did not play like one in a Jets uniform.”

The free agency window opens Wednesday, when a number of headline-grabbing moves will be completed.

Mougey may wait and let the top names sign big-money deals before assembling a roster with the remaining talent at more team-friendly prices.

At quarterback, Malik Willis is in demand but the Jets are likely to be priced out.

More likely will be one of the passers who were cut mid-contract, including Kyler Murray, Geno Smith and potentially Tua Tagovailoa.

They can be signed for the league minimum $1.3 million as their former teams foot much of the bill.

“Smith feels like the early favorite,” revealed Rosenblatt, who expects New York to sign a couple of options and let them compete.

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Smith struggled as a Las Vegas Raider last season after signing a $75 million contract off the back of reviving his career with the Seattle Seahawks.

A second-round pick for the Jets in 2013, he was a career backup before surprisingly thriving after taking over following Russell Wilson‘s move to the Denver Broncos.

At 35, he wouldn’t be the long-term future but could provide a useful bridge.

Carson Wentz, Andy Dalton, and Mitchell Trubisky are other names on the agenda.

Arch Manning heading for 2027 NFL Draft

Smith led the Raiders to the No. 1 overall pick that will likely be used to select Fernando Mendoza in April’s NFL Draft.

And there have been some suggestions that he would be the perfect signing in order to be first on the clock if Arch Manning declares for 2027.

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“If the Jets sign Geno Smith and Carson Wentz to get them through 2026, they might as well turn in their 2027 draft card right now for Arch Manning,” wrote New York sports writer Gary Myers on X. “The draft will be in Washington, so it’s an easy trip for Jets fans.

“Anxious Jets fans need not worry about him refusing to play for the Jets. That won’t happen.”

Manning had his own struggles in what was supposed to be the year he emerged as the next great branch on his family tree.

But the Texan Longhorn improved as the campaign went on and will look to show off his undoubted potential in 2026 before following his grandfather and uncles into the pros.

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