New Jets Rumors on Carson Wentz, Geno Smith Reveal Frank Reich's 'Preferred Option' at QB

Carson Wentz is reportedly viewed as New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich's main target at quarterback in free agency this offseason.

According to SNY's Connor Hughes, Wentz is Reich's "preferred option," and one source with knowledge of the situation said, "No one loves Wentz more than Frank."

Per Hughes, the Jets have also discussed recently released former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, current Cards quarterback Jacoby Brissett and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith as options.

Multiple sources told Hughes that agents got the impression at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that the Jets want to add a pair of veteran quarterbacks this offseason.

Regarding some of the Jets' other options, multiple sources expressed their belief to Hughes that Murray will ultimately sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, another source told Hughes they "highly doubt" the Cardinals will trade Brissett to the Jets given that they already parted ways with Murray.

Wentz makes the most sense on the surface given his extensive experience playing under Reich.

Reich was Wentz's offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2017, and his head coach with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.

The 2017 season remains the best of Wentz's career to date, as he went 11-2 in 13 starts and completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 299 yards.

Wentz was the front-runner for NFL MVP that season until a torn ACL ended his year after 13 games.

After a few seasons of struggling to return to that level of play, Wentz was traded to the Colts, and he went on to have the last highly productive season of his career with Reich as his head coach.

Wentz completed 62.4 percent of his passing attempts for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he also rushed for 215 yards and one score.

However, Wentz's tenure in Indianapolis lasted only one season due to a late-season collapse that saw the Colts finish 9-8 and miss the playoffs.

Since then, Wentz has played for four different teams, primarily in a backup role. Last season, he started five games for the Minnesota Vikings while J.J. McCarthy was out injured, going 2-3.

Wentz completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five picks before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely.

As for the Jets, they tied for the league's worst record at 3-14 in Aaron Glenn's first season as head coach, thus missing the playoffs for a 15th consecutive year.

Poor quarterback play contributed heavily to the Jets' struggles, as Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook combined to throw for 2,378 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Fields is still under contract for 2026, but if the Jets' plan is indeed to add two veteran quarterbacks, it could be a sign that New York intends to release him.

Reich was brought in to breathe some life into the Jets' moribund offense, and while the available quarterback options aren't necessarily exciting, there is a ton of room for improvement at that position in New York.