New Jets Rumors Update Carson Wentz Pursuit for QB2 Role After Geno Smith, Raiders Trade

The New York Jets are reportedly turning to free agency for a backup quarterback after settling on Geno Smith as their starter for 2026.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported Tuesday the Jets plan to start Smith next season, and that free agent quarterback Carson Wentz "is squarely in the mix" to be his backup.

The Jets traded a late-round pick swap to acquire Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, who will pay out most of Smith's remaining contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Wentz hit free agency after the expiration of his one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. He played five games as an injury replacement for JJ McCarthy last season before he was shut down due to his own injuries.

That means the Jets will be paying "just over" a veteran minimum contract for Smith, per Schefter.

The move marks a homecoming for Smith, who was drafted by the Jets in 2013. He earned an 8-8 record as a rookie starter, then went 3-10 as a sophomore before spending his next two seasons as a backup and leaving ahead of the 2017 campaign.

After struggling to a 2-13 finish with the Raiders last season, Smith will now get another shot at starting.

Given that the Jets' last Week 1 starter, Justin Fields, ended up benched down the stretch of the 2025 season, the franchise might want a backup with starting experience in case there are more changes under center in 2026.

Wentz has experience, although most of it came before his painful 2025 season. He played most of his game action last season through a dislocated left shoulder before he was shut down to undergo season-ending surgery in late October.

After beginning his NFL career with five seasons as a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Indianapolis Colts, Wentz has served primarily in a backup role ever since losing his starting job with the Washington Commanders down the stretch of the 2022 season.

Wentz then served as a backup to Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams and Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs before landing with the Vikings last offseason.

He is reportedly the "preferred option" of Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich, according to Hughes.

Wentz and Reich worked together for two seasons in Philadelphia, including during the quarterback's 2017 MVP finalist campaign that was derailed by a torn ACL ahead of the Eagles' Super Bowl run.

Hughes previously reported the Jets have also expressed interest in Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett.

There is a "resounding belief" Murray will join the Vikings, and there is "little indication the Cardinals are willing to move" Brissett, according to Hughes.

Given that Smith is 35 and Wentz is 33, the Jets could still decide to target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft. The franchise is currently holding nine picks, including four in the top 45.