Anthony Richardson, Sam Ehlinger Among Jets' Potential QB Targets

The Jets were the only NFL team keeping tabs on former All-Pro quarterback Russell Wilson, and with the veteran opting for a television role and ending his playing career, New York is keeping options open behind starter Geno Smith.

Smith’s viability for a full season, frankly, could be called into question for the rebuilding franchise that is finally starting to amass some talent back again after a two-year teardown. 

The Jets are getting a look at rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik, who they took a flier on in the draft after a rough final season at Clemson, but many around the league believe they will want to add a veteran to their mix by training camp, and head coach Aaron Glenn himself has ruminated on that option in the press.

While many have focused on older free agents, like Wilson, it stands to reason the team might want a younger option with some upside in that mix, and a year ago, they took a chance on former first-round pick Justin Fields, with his legs and athleticism a big reason why. 

That experiment didn’t work, and the Jets are clearly going to be in the market to draft a QB in a 2027 draft that looks to be better and deeper than the 2026 crop.

However, that doesn’t mean that the rookie needs to start right away, and some personnel execs suggested New York could look to deal for a younger veteran who could display some starting ability to fill the void that Wilson would have manned.

“There isn’t much on the street (as a free agent),” one general manager noted. 

"I’d try to make a trade before I convinced a guy like Wilson not to retire.”

New Coordinator Frank Reich Could Be Key

Sam Ehlinger, whom the Colts believed merited at least consideration as a viable NFL quarterback at one point, is stuck third in the Broncos' depth chart right now. 

He played for new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich in Indianapolis and knows the system and can offer some things athletically that Smith cannot at this stage of his career.

And former Colts first-round pick Anthony Richardson is another possible option later in the summer as well. 

Richardson was available in trade earlier this offseason but was dealing with an eye injury and didn’t command much attention. 

However, Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones is progressing more rapidly than expected from season-ending surgery, and while Richardson is on better terms with the Colts now after demanding a trade, things have been quite rough for him there since being drafted, and he welcomed a change of scenery.

Arizona could end up trading starter Jacoby Brissett, but he is very similar to Smith in terms of style of play and being near the end of his career. 

The Jets might do well skewing younger, and if so, it wouldn’t surprise rival execs.