Jets Rumors: Fields, Mariota, Wentz Eyed as Vet QBs to Pair with Day 2 NFL Draft Pick

The New York Jets are expected to target a quarterback on Day 2 of the NFL Draft to pair with a potential veteran quarterback rather than using their No. 7 overall pick on a top prospect, according to SNY's Connor Hughes.

The Jets are considering Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota and Carson Wentz as potential veteran quarterbacks to pair with their draft pick, per Hughes.

In early February, the team announced its decision to part ways with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers after two seasons.

According to the latest mock draft by Bleacher Reports NFL Scouting Department, the Jets are projected to bypass a quarterback selection and draft wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of the University of Arizona.

With a Day 2 quarterback selection, the Jets could target Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart or Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, considered top-six players at the position by the Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Fields is set to hit free agency after just one season with the team, during which he competed with veteran Russell Wilson for the starting job. However, there is growing speculation that the Steelers may opt to retain Fields as their long-term option.

"The sense I get is that Justin Fields has an edge over Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh's pecking free-agent quarterback order," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported. "There is sentiment for Fields in the building, and both sides would be open to a return. The Steelers have at least another week to crystallize those plans, and they certainly haven't ruled out Wilson at this point. Regardless, Fields should have options. The Jets, for one, are expected to gauge his market."

Mariota, who spent his 10th NFL season backing up rookie phenom Jayden Daniels in Washington, could be seeking a fresh start in free agency despite earning praise for his role as a reliable backup.

"I would say that Marcus (Mariota) played great for us and Marcus was a great teammate," Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark said at the NFL Scouting Combine, per Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Brener. "And I think backup quarterback is a very important position in this league. And you almost look at it as, it's not even a backup, it's just, it's one of your quarterbacks. And we had a great room and I think you're always trying to be really good in that room."

Wentz, the 32-year-old quarterback, spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs and is now an unrestricted free agent with several teams keeping an eye on him in addition to the Jets.

The Jets are expected to make significant moves over the next month, with the 2025 NFL Draft scheduled for April 24-26.