What is Plan C if the Jets don’t sign Derek Carr or Aaron Rodgers?
Derek Carr or Aaron Rodgers?
That is the question a lot of Jets fans are debating these days.
Over the weekend, Carr visited with the Jets, sources confirmed to the Daily News. Carr can sign with any team weeks before the start of free agency on March 15 now that the Raiders released the nine-year veteran last week after the veteran quarterback declined to waive his no-trade clause.
Following his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last week, Rodgers took a “darkness retreat” to contemplate his future. Rodgers has yet to commit to playing football for a 19th season. He also needs to figure out if he returns, whether that will be with the Packers or another team, such as the Jets or the Raiders.
Carr and Rodgers are the top veteran quarterback options for the Jets this offseason. However, suppose the team doesn’t sign either quarterback, what are the potential alternatives for Gang Green as it needs to finally solidify the quarterback position following a disappointing finish to the 2022 season?
Lamar Jackson
Jackson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. However, it is expected that if the Ravens cannot work out a long-term deal with Jackson, the team will place the franchise tag on Jackson.
There are two different franchise tags the Ravens could use on Jackson. If Baltimore places the exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, that will prevent him from negotiating with another team while the two sides try to work out a long-term contract. But the Ravens also have the non-exclusive option at their disposal, which means Jackson could negotiate with other teams and the Ravens would get two first-round picks in return for Jackson if he signed with another team.
If Jackson is available, the Jets should bump him to Plan A. Since Joe Namath was under center for the Jets during the 1960s and 70s, the team has failed to develop a long-term solution at quarterback.
Trading for Jackson, a former NFL MVP and only 26 years old, would give you a larger window to compete for championships beyond the 2023 season. If the Jets trade for the 39-year-old Rodgers, who knows if the team will be in the exact same situation next year.
Jimmy Garoppolo
If Carr, Rodgers and Jackson aren’t available, Garoppolo makes a lot of sense, as Jets coach Robert Saleh has some familiarity with him dating back to his time as the 49ers defensive coordinator.
After he became San Francisco starting quarterback again following Trey Lance’s season-ending ankle injury, Garoppolo elevated the 49ers offense as he threw for 2,437 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The biggest concern with Garoppolo is his inability to stay healthy. He has only played 15 games or more in a season twice. So if the Jets sign him, there’s a chance that Zach Wilson, who has been a colossal disappointment in two seasons, would eventually start for an extended period of time.
Ryan Tannehill
Jets fans are familiar with Tannehill from his six seasons with the Dolphins. But they might not understand how much Tannehill’s play has improved since leaving Miami.
In his four seasons with the Titans, Tannehill has thrown for 12,831 yards, 89 touchdowns and 33 interceptions while completing 66.9% of his passes. During that span, Tennessee made the playoffs three times, including in 2021, when it finished as the top seed in the AFC before losing in the divisional round to the Bengals.
Tannehill isn’t a free agent currently, but the Titans could release him as they’re almost $21 million over the salary cap, according to Over The Cap. Releasing Tannehill would save the Titans $18.8 million instantly. Considering he is coming off a season where he dealt with an ankle injury a bulk of the second half of the year, his age at the start of next season (35) and the team finishing 7-10 last season, the Titans could decide to move on from Tannehill.
Jacoby Brissett
If the Jets reach this option, it will be a long few months until training camp. But if Gang Green is in a DEFCON 1 situation, could Brissett be an option?
Last year, Brissett held down the Browns quarterback position while Deshaun Watson was suspended for the first 11 games for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. During those 11 starts, Brissett passed for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions while having a 64% completion percentage.
Brissett has been a solid veteran option throughout his time in the league. But the Jets aren’t looking for just reliable, they’re looking for a player that can help them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Daniel Jones
First, I don’t see any scenario where Jones leaves the Giants in free agency, as they can place the franchise tag on him. But he is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next month and the Jets could use someone like him under center.
Under first-year coach Brian Daboll, Jones had his best season in the NFL in 2022 as he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions as the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Then in the Giants 31-24 wild-card victory against the Vikings, Jones arguably had his best game as a pro, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns while running for 78 yards.
If the Giants were to let Jones walk, the Jets should be first in line to sign Jones, depending on how the other scenarios play out this offseason.
