What’s Next for the Jets’ Backup QB Situation?

The New York Jets have had a tumultuous season, to say the least. After losing their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending injury in Week 1, they have been shuffling through different options at the most important position in football. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, has been inconsistent and injury-prone, throwing 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 13 games. Woody Johnson, the Jet's owner, is fed up with this situation and made sure to express his frustration to GM Joe Douglas "[We] need a back up quarterback. We didn't have one last year." Finding the right fit to sit behind Rodgers is going to be challenging.

Will they keep Wilson, trade for another quarterback, or will they draft another QB in the upcoming draft, which features prospects like Caleb Williams, Jaysen Daniels and J.J. McCarthy?

Scenario 1: Keep Wilson

The first scenario is to keep Wilson as the starter and hope that he can improve under a new coaching staff and a better supporting cast. After Johnson's comments this seems like an unlikely option as they seem to be looking for a new fresh face in the roster.

Wilson has shown some signs of promise, such as his 68-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson in Week 2 against the Cowboys, or his 300-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 10 against the Patriots. He has a strong arm, good mobility and a high ceiling. He is also only 24 years old, and still has room to grow and learn from his mistakes. However, Wilson has also been plagued by turnovers, sacks and injuries. He has thrown at least one interception in 10 of his 13 games, and has been sacked 36 times, the third-most in the league. He has also struggled to read defenses, make quick decisions and execute the offense. He has a low completion percentage, low passer rating and high interception rate.

The Jets have invested a lot in Wilson, and they may not want to give up on him so soon. But they also have to consider whether he is the right fit for their system, and whether he can overcome his flaws.

Scenario 2: Trade for Brisett

The second scenario is to trade for Brissett, who has been impressive in the Commanders, the new league that features former NFL and college players. Brissett has led the Commanders to a 9-3 record, throwing for 2,876 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rushing for 421 yards and four touchdowns. He has a 102.3 passer rating, the second-best in the league, and has been named the Commanders’ Offensive Player of the Week three times. He has also drawn praise from his teammates, coaches and opponents, who have lauded his leadership, poise and playmaking ability.

Brissett is no stranger to the NFL, having played for the Patriots and the Colts from 2016 to 2020. He has a career record of 12-20 as a starter, with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has experience working with Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who was his defensive coordinator in 2018 with the Colts. He is also familiar with the AFC East, having faced the Jets, the Dolphins and the Bills multiple times.

The Jets could use a QB like Brissett, who has proven himself in a competitive environment and has the skills and intangibles to lead a team. He is also under contract for two more years, and would not cost the Jets a lot of draft capital or cap space. However, the Jets would have to compete with other teams who may be interested in Brissett, such as the Broncos, the Panthers and the Steelers. They would also have to deal with the Commanders, who may not want to part ways with their star QB.

Scenario 3: Draft a QB

The third scenario is to draft a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is expected to have a deep and talented class of QB prospects. Some of the names that have been mentioned as potential first-round picks are Caleb Williams from USC, Jaysen Daniels from LSU and J.J. McCarthy from Michigan. Each of these QBs has their own strengths and weaknesses, and could fit different schemes and styles.

The Jets currently have the No. 10 overall pick in the draft, and could have a chance to select their QB of the future. They could also trade down and acquire more picks, or trade up and target a specific QB. The Jets have a lot of needs on their roster, and could use the draft to address them.

The Jets have not had much luck with drafting QBs in the past, as they have missed on players like Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg. They have also not had a Pro Bowl QB since Brett Favre in 2008. But they could also hit the jackpot and find their next Joe Namath, Vinny Testaverde or Chad Pennington.

The Jets have a big decision to make regarding their QB situation, and it will have a huge impact on their future. They have three viable scenarios to choose from, each with their own pros and cons. They could keep Wilson, trade for Brissett or draft a QB. Which one do you think they should do? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more sports news and analysis. Thanks for reading!