Free agency begins Monday and the Jets search for a short-term answer at quarterback is starting to take some kind of shape.
On Friday Connor Hughes reported that the Jets could target free agent Carson Wentz as their quarterback because Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich coached Wentz when the journeyman enjoyed his best years of his career in Philadelphia about a decade ago.
"Wentz, two sources told SNY, is believed to be Reich’s preferred option. ... Wentz’s best season came under Reich in Year 2, when he went 11-2 and threw for 3,296 yards with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions. An MVP frontrunner, Wentz tore his ACL against the Rams in Week 13.
"Reich brought Wentz to Indianapolis in 2021. There, the quarterback went 9-8 as a starter, completing 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. There was a belief the relationship between the two soured during that season, with the Colts deciding to move on from him after the year.
"Two sources confirmed the resentment was not between coach and quarterback, but between the player and upper management/ownership.
"No one loves Wentz more than Frank," a third source told SNY."
Very interesting indeed. Wentz would be a unique fit. He's not going to excite the fanbase, and chances are, if he does sign in New York, it will be a short leash. But he is a veteran. He has the all the measurables that the Jets supposedly are looking for in a quarterback, and when he did play under Reich's offense, he was very good. Jets fans would sign up for 27 touchdowns and 7 picks yesterday if they could get it.
It is believed that the Jets could pull a page out of the Giants playbook from last season, when Big Blue signed both Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson before drafting Jaxson Dart.
Wilson did little to distinguish himself as a starter early in the year, forcing the Giants to go to the rookie in Dart early. When Dart got hurt, Winston filled in admirably. Winston will return as Dart's back-up this year. Russell Wilson will be a free agent.
It would be wild if he came back to the Jets, the organization that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Smith never really got acclimated to New York the first time around. He had to deal with the starting QB drama with Mark Sanchez, the IK Emekapale situation and much more. Outside of a last second victory over Atlanta on a Monday night in 2013, Smith had more bad days than good with the Jets.
A reunion is always possible, but not likely if Smith has other suitors.
What about Tua Tagovailoa? Tua is on the outs in Miami, but would likely have to be traded. The Jets reportedly were kicking the tires on the idea. Not sure if it's possible. I can't imagine Miami wanting to ship within the AFC East.
Tagovailoa is a huge gamble. He has issues staying healthy due to multiple concussions despite the fact he has posted good numbers in his career. The only issue is when he does play, he struggles in cold weather games.
Kyler Murray, who was released by the Cardinals would only cost the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, but his size (5-10) and bad reputation (rumors about work ethic) might scare the Jets away. Plus the Vikings are reportedly a higher suitor.
If not Murray, his ex-Cardinals teammate Jacoby Brissett could be an option via trade. Brissett played for Reich out in Indianapolis.
One thing does remain clear though, according to Connor Hughes and Zach Rosenblat, it appears the Jets are not interested in Derek Carr who is contemplating a return from retirement, and is still under contract with the New Orleans Saints.
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