New York Jets Jets may open wallet to fill key needs — but not to solve QB question in slow-played free agency By Brian Costello Published March 8, 2026, 8:22 p.m. ET Darren Mougey IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It’s Ready, Set, Spend time in the NFL, but don’t be surprised if the Jets take a slower approach to free agency than some of their fans might be hoping for.
The Jets enter free agency with $73.8 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, but this free agency class is not great and general manager Darren Mougey prefers to build his roster through the draft. That does not mean the Jets won’t be active. They have plenty of holes to fill, but the Jets are expected to be searching for value over Day 1 splash signings when the legal tampering period begins Monday.
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The biggest question is quarterback. There are plenty of options, but none are overly appealing. The Jets are expected to have interest in a trio of veterans with plenty of starting experience who are going to be or are expected to be released by their teams this week — Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith. These three are going to be affordable because their former teams will still be paying them this season and teams can get them for the league minimum.
At 5-foot-10, Murray does not fit what offensive coordinator Frank Reich usually likes in a quarterback, but the former No. 1 overall pick is the most skilled quarterback expected to be available. The problem for the Jets is Murray should have options and the Jets may not be appealing to him as a destination to get his career back on track.
