Clearly, the New York Jets have had an exciting start to the 2024 NFL season.
After acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the team feels more secure in the quarterback position than it has in years.
Rodgers, despite being 40, has been performing well and showing the leadership the team needs. His return from a season-ending injury in 2023 has brought hope back to the Jets organization and their fans.
However, the Jets know that Rodgers won’t be around forever. Let’s be honest: he’s turning 41 in December, and the team must prepare for the future.
While they’re focused on competing for a Super Bowl right now, they must also consider what happens after Rodgers retires. At the moment, there isn’t a clear replacement lined up.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets picked Jordan Travis from Florida State in the fifth round. He’s viewed as a project player and is still recovering from a knee injury in 2023.
While there’s some potential in Travis, he’s not guaranteed to become the future starting quarterback the Jets will need. In fact, many see him as a limited prospect who may not be the long-term answer.
One interesting option for the Jets is Bryce Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Despite his potential, Young was recently benched by the Carolina Panthers after starting 18 games, mainly due to the fact that he has struggled with his accuracy, completing 59.3% of his passes for 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Panthers coach Dave Canales decided to start veteran Andy Dalton instead, which, in a sense, raises doubts about Young’s future with the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, several teams have shown interest in trading for Young, but the Panthers have declined these offers. However, insiders believe it’s only a matter of time before Carolina trades Young.
Given the current situation, this could be an excellent opportunity for the Jets. If they’re looking for a long-term plan at quarterback, they should consider joining the trade talks for Bryce Young. While Carolina may be hesitant to trade him, he will likely be available eventually.
If the Jets can acquire Young, they wouldn’t need to rush him into the starting role. He could learn and grow as the team’s backup without the pressure of leading the team immediately.
The Jets have Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Tyrod Taylor as a solid backup, so Young could focus on developing behind the scenes.
In New York, Young would have the chance to learn from Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
In this scenario, Rodgers could mentor Young and help him regain confidence. On top of that, the Jets have a strong group of players that could support Young’s development.
With talents like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall both in their third year, the Jets’ offense is young and full of potential.
The offensive line, featuring key players like Alijah Vera-Tucker, Joe Tippmann, and Olu Fashanu, also provides good protection for any quarterback.
Undoubtedly, this could be the perfect situation for Young, who is still just 23 years old and has plenty of room to grow.
Thus, if the Jets can make the trade without giving up too much, it could be a major win for the team.
They’ve put a lot into building a team to compete with Rodgers, but they also need to ensure they’re prepared for the future.
And with a bit of luck, Bryce Young could be the quarterback who carries the team forward once Rodgers retires.
Making this move would prevent the Jets from re-entering a state of uncertainty about their quarterback, which has been an issue for them in recent years.
Over the years, the Jets have experienced the disappointment of drafting highly-rated quarterbacks who didn’t succeed in New York.
Geno Smith and Sam Darnold were selected with high expectations, but neither worked out as hoped.
However, both quarterbacks found success later in their careers with other teams. Therefore, it shows that sometimes, a change in the environment can make all the difference for a young player.
Bryce Young, who many believed would be a star out of college, might just need a fresh start with a team that can be patient with him.
Dan Graziano, an ESPN NFL insider, has hinted that the Jets could be a possible destination for Young.
He even suggested that fans shouldn’t “sleep on” the idea of Young joining the team if the Panthers decide to trade him.
Young is still on his rookie contract, worth $37 million, and while he hasn’t lived up to his No. 1 pick status yet, his struggles in Carolina may be more due to the team’s dysfunction than his actual talent.
So, if the Jets really want to keep winning after the Rodgers era, they should consider signing Bryce Young.
He has a lot of potential and could become their future quarterback with good coaching and time to grow.