The New York Jets have the resources to acquire the quarterback they desire this offseason.
NFL Insider Matt Lombardo explained in a recent mailbag column for “Between the Hashmarks” that the Jets are “best positioned to win a bidding war.”
A fan asked Lombardo if the Jets should go “all in” for Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis this offseason.
“Willis is likely to be the most coveted option on the open market after his ‘graduation’ from the Matt LaFleur Quarterback Finishing School in Green Bay. By my estimation, there are six teams in the QB hunt (not including the Raiders); the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Jets, and the Cleveland Browns. Willis is likely to be one of the more coveted options across the league, and the Jets are clearly best positioned to land him,” Lombardo wrote.
“My stance on the Jets’ quarterback situation has always been clear; pay the toll to acquire your quarterback,” Lombardo added.
Holy Overpay Batman!
Willis, 26, will turn 27 before the start of the 2026 season.
He has limited experience as a starter with only six games under his belt in that department. However, this season for the Packers, Willis looked good when he was called upon.
He appeared in four games and made one start. With those opportunities, Willis completed 30-of-35 passes (85.7% completion percentage) for 422 passing yards, with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Spotrac’s calculated market value projects that Willis could sign a one-year $10.6 million contract in free agency this offseason.
However, it’s worth noting that multiple teams being involved could very well increase that price.
“There’s no reason to make Willis one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the sport, but in an offseason where the best options are likely to be Daniel Jones, Willis, Kyler Murray, or Tua Tagovailoa, a slight overpay to ensure you land your top target isn’t going to derail the long-term stability of the franchise’s rebuild. Landing your quarterback is the only way to ensure the rebuild actually gets off the ground in the first place,” Lombardo explained.
Chasing Willis Would Be Risky for the Jets
Last offseason, the Jets gambled on upside.
They signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. There had only been glimpses that Fields could be competent. The Jets bet that they could make that happen more consistently. They were wrong.
Now, a year later, the Jets are going to make that bet again? That would be a risky maneuver.
“For Willis, specifically, there’s always a world where the Jets could offer a three-year contract with an ‘out’ after the second season, with the guaranteed money frontloaded into the first year of the deal that would make it difficult for another team to match. This type of contract would give the Jets the 2026 season to evaluate Willis, would give him financial stability with the opportunity to earn long-term security, and New York an option to draft a quarterback in 2027, similarly to how the Giants chose Jaxson Dart after inking Russell Wilson to a one-year contract and Jameis Winston to a two-year deal,” Lombardo explained for “Between the Hashmarks.”
Jets Are ‘Best Positioned’ to Win NFC QB Bidding War, Says Insider