Could the Jets use the 2026 NFL season to get their future QB in 2027?
The New York Jets are hoping for a better season in 2026, but could they use the campaign to set themselves up for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New York Jets will be heading into the 2026 NFL season with a revamped roster, to some degree, hoping that they will have a better output compared to their 2025 campaign. New York has the second overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, but they will likely have to wait until 2027 to select their quarterback of the future. Bleacher Report made the case that could be the path the Jets will take next season.
"Many fans may wonder why franchises would be willing to punt on the 2026 season and build a roster with 2027 in mind," Kristopher Knox wrote for B/R when discussing teams like the Jets. While New York, at least when it comes to head coach Aaron Glenn and the players, is hoping to win as many games as possible in 2026, there is a method to the madness of using the season for development instead. "The simple answer is that next year's draft class is expected to feature multiple franchise-caliber quarterback prospects, while the 2026 class is shallow at the QB position," Knox continued.
"Next year's class, on the other hand, may feature the likes of Texas star Arch Manning, Oregon standout Dante Moore, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, and Baylor signal-caller DJ Lagway. " It should be mentioned that the Jets were initially expected to select their franchise quarterback in this upcoming draft before Moore returned to Oregon. Moore, along with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, were projected to be top-5 picks in the 2026 Draft, but after Moore withdrew, the next quarterback is expected to be Alabama's Ty Simpson, someone who could be in play for the Jets with the 16th pick.
Either way, New York will enter the season with players like quarterback Geno Smith and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on the roster, but they may not significantly change the fortunes of the team in 2026. Assuming that's the case, the Jets could use this upcoming season to see which players fit the ethos of the franchise while hoping that they can draft their next franchise quarterback in 2027. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Could the Jets use the 2026 NFL season to get their future QB in 2027?