This offseason, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey have one main goal other than building up a severely depleted defense: find a quarterback for the 2026 season.
Justin Fields is under contract for another $20 million, but he cannot be trusted as the starter again, and the Jets need a new QB. They’re missing out on Fernando Mendoza, and don’t have another great option in the draft.
That’s why a trade for a new QB is a very real possibility. However, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, two of the Jets’ top QB options got trade updates that are not good news for the Jets.
Jets get bad news on 2 QB trade targets
“For teams looking to swing a deal for 49ers backup QB Mac Jones,” Russini writes, “I’m told San Francisco is not looking to part with the 2021 first rounder.”
Mac Jones would’ve been a great trade option for the Jets this offseason. He’s under contract on a two-year, $8.41 million deal, making his 2026 salary a very affordable one for the Jets to pick up.
It’s roughly one-fifth of what they’re paying Fields. And Jones showed he is a solid option this past season with Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense.
He went 5-3 with the 49ers, and he’s likely earned himself a very nice payday. But, because he’s under contract, the Jets would need to part with draft pick compensation for him.
While it might’ve been worth it, such a reality doesn’t seem possible now with this report from Russini that the 49ers aren’t planning to trade the veteran QB this offseason.
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But Jones isn’t the only QB the Jets got some bad news on. The Atlanta Falcons might not be moving on from Kirk Cousins this offseason for two reasons.
“But Atlanta needs a capable backup, especially one who might have to play early as Michael Penix Jr. works his way back from his third ACL surgery,” Russini writes. “There’s also the Kevin Stefanaski factor.”
With the uncertainty at the quarterback position in Atlanta and with a new head coach, keeping Cousins as a starter might be a more realistic option for the Falcons. Despite a contract of $180 million, Cousins might stick in Atlanta as a key starter next year.
If both Cousins and Jones aren’t trade options for the Jets, their options are dwindling in a big way before the offseason can even begin.
Finding a quarterback to come to the Jets is going to be difficult, and this update from Russini on Cousins and Jones is already making this challenging for the Jets.
