The New York Jets enter the 2026 offseason with several key questions, but the biggest one is clear: who will be the team’s starting quarterback next season? The Jets have been linked to potential quarterbacks through trades, free agency, and the draft.
New York still hasn’t hired a new offensive coordinator, and whoever they add could play a role in deciding the team’s next quarterback.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported earlier this week that the three names still in the mix for the vacant OC role are Frank Reich, Darrell Bevell, and Greg Roman.
Although Reich appears to be the favorite to land the job, Cimini emphasized that Bevell and Roman remain very much in contention.
If Bevell were to land the OC role in New York, NFL insider Josina Anderson linked the Jets to a quarterback familiar to him: Tua Tagovailoa. Bevell has worked closely with Tagovailoa, serving as the Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator since 2022.
“When teams bring in a new head coach & general manager, there are times when a new era means change at quarterback too,” wrote Anderson. “If the Jets end up with Darrell Bevell at OC, it’d be interesting to see if those two reconnect in Florham Park, should he depart the Dolphins?”
The Dolphins brought in head coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan this offseason, fueling speculation that Tagovailoa’s time in Miami could soon be over.
GettyQB Tua Tagovailoa.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Potential Fit in New York
Speculation about the Jets potentially bringing in the Dolphins quarterback could become more realistic once two things are settled: whether Bevell is hired, and whether the Dolphins are willing to cover part of Tagovailoa’s hefty contract in a potential trade to New York.
The 27-year-old quarterback is projected to carry a $56,267,647 cap hit in 2026, according to Spotrac.
Despite Tagovailoa’s large contract, the Jets are in a strong financial position, carrying $75,621,619 in available cap space this offseason, according to Spotrac.
With a weak quarterback class and a thin free agency market, the Jets could potentially consider bringing in a player like Tagovailoa depending on how the quarterback carousel plays out this offseason, especially with head coach Aaron Glenn likely coaching for his job next season and needing reliable quarterback play.
GettyTagovailoa has been rumored to be a fit with New York.
What a Trade Would Potentially Look Like for Tua Tagovailoa
After the regular season came to a close, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine predicted the Jets and Dolphins will make a trade involving Tagovailoa in the 2026 offseason.
According to Ballentine, the trade details would be:
Jets acquire: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2027 second-round pick, salary compensation
Dolphins acquire: 2027 fifth-round pick
“Salary cap dump trades aren’t all that common in the league. However, we could see a rare example play out as the Dolphins look for a way to get out from under Tua Tagovailoa’s contract,” wrote Ballentine.
GettyThe Jets likely would not have to give up much in a trade involving Tagovailoa.
NFL Insider Connects Jets to Potential QB Target Familiar to OC Candidate