Jets make decision on Justin Fields replacement with $134m Eagles Super Bowl champion ‘preferred option’
An unexpected name has just entered what will be a chaotic quarterback market.
The New York Jets are set to begin the hunt for their new signal caller, after deciding they will be releasing Justin Fields, barring a trade.
The Jets have already been linked with a number of names, including recently-released Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins.
But, a different veteran quarterback might be at the top of their list in 2026.
SNY’s Connor Hughes reports that the Jets are strongly linked to former Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz.
“No Kirk Cousins, but watch Geno Smith and Carson Wentz,” Hughes tweeted.
“One source told me that the QB (Frank) Reich prefers is Wentz. A quote from one other: ‘No one loves Wentz more than Frank.”
Frank Reich is the new offensive coordinator for the Jets in 2026, and Wentz is a hurler who has strong ties with him.
They worked together on both the Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles, where Wentz was a solid starter for both franchises.
Wentz’s 2017 line, when he worked with Reich, was 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while posting a 11-2 record as the starter. The Eagles won the Super Bowl that season.
Since 2021 Wentz, who has earned $134 million in his NFL career, has bounced around the league serving as a back-up.
He played on the Vikings in 2025, throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions before his season was ended through a shoulder injury.
Tyrod Taylor tipped to also leave in total QB reshuffle
The Jets are expected to add multiple quarterbacks through free-agency and the draft, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wentz run it back with Reich on a third different team.
The Jets took the risk with Fields last offseason, and it didn’t pay off. He completed just 62.7 percent of his passes, for an average QBR of 38.8.
He was benched for the second-half of the season in favour of veteran back-up Tyrod Taylor.
The Colts will be in need of a bridge quarterback while Daniel Jones, who they franchise tagged, continues to recover from his torn achilles.
Taylor will also be hitting the free agent market, and he has been tipped by The Athletic’s Zac Rosenblatt to snub New York in favour for the AFC South team.
“It’s unclear yet if he’ll (Daniel Jones) be ready for Week 1, so expect Indianapolis to find a workable stopgap solution to carry the load — and to step in if Jones gets hurt again,” Rosenblatt wrote.
“Someone like Taylor would make some sense as a veteran backup to bring into the room.
“On top of being one of the most well-liked locker-room guys in the NFL, Taylor is a capable quarterback when called upon.”
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