Jets' Reported 'Early Favorite' for QB1 amid New Rumors on Kyler, Tua, Geno, Carr and Malik Willis

The New York Jets' search for a franchise quarterback isn't going to end this year, as the team is reportedly expected to go in a different direction in its offseason pursuits.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported, "The Jets will be in on the group of quarterbacks who were cut by other teams and have significant money left on their contracts, which makes them much cheaper to sign (as in, they'll likely be signed for the minimum salary, $1.3 million). That includes Kyler Murray, Geno Smith and, if/when he's cut, Tua Tagovailoa."

Rosenblatt went on to name Smith as "the early favorite" to land in New York, which would mark a reunion between the 35-year-old and the team that selected him with a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Smith is coming off a disappointing season with the Las Vegas Raiders, so he could look to resurrect his career with the Jets.

Smith being viewed as the likely choice for the Jets is largely due to the team's ongoing rebuild, in which general manager Darren Mougey is expected to use New York's $73.8 million in cap space to address multiple roster needs.

Rosenblatt reported that he feels the Jets "are more likely to sign free-agent quarterbacks (yes, more than one) rather than make a trade for any of the intriguing backups out there, such as Mac Jones, Tanner McKee and Tyson Bagent. The price for those backup signal-callers reportedly "is just too high." Rosenblatt added that the Arizona Cardinals "don't appear eager" to trade Jacoby Brissett.

That leaves the Jets looking at the free-agent market, but Rosenblatt noted that "many sources around the league expect Murray to land in Minnesota, though that's not 100 percent locked in." Prized free agent Malik Willis reportedly "is expected to be too expensive for the Jets' taste," and Rosenblatt added that he doesn't expect Derek Carr to be among the team's pursuits this offseason.

Veterans Carson Wentz and Andy Dalton were named as potential targets for the Jets due to their familiarity with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich. The team reportedly also has "some interest" in Buffalo Bills free agent Mitchell Trubisky.

It's clear that the Jets won't find an easy fix to their quarterback problems, but the team is hoping to build a foundation with a veteran who could set the stage for a rookie quarterback from this year's draft or in 2027.