After a disastrous result to the 2024 season, the winds of change are howling in East Rutherford, NJ. With preseason euphoria filling the air, the harsh reality fell upon the New York Jets as the team is now 3-8 after the bye week. Now, without their head coach and general manager, the departure of Aaron Rodgers is all but guaranteed. The future Hall of Famer sucked the once bright future of this young team to appease his ego after the franchise bent over backward to appease him. With over a month left in the season, the New York Jets have their eyes set on 2025. A new quarterback is expected to follow as a new regime enters Florham Park, NJ.
But who will they look for? The quarterback class in the 2025 NFL draft doesn’t flash like last year’s class. However, with the recent success of Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels for their respective teams, the right rookie can have a positive impact. Soon, the Jets will have a major decision to make. Here are some options to consider.
Quarterback Fun: Potential Quarterbacks for the Jets in 2025
After failing to reach the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season, the Jets aspire to start fresh next season. The successors to general manager Joe Douglas & head coach Robert Saleh will have their hands full. Outside of the quarterback, the team will also address the defensive line, safety, offensive line, and safety positions. If DJ Reed isn’t extended, Cornerback could also be an area to address. However, the quarterback position will be a primary concern. Should Rodgers be cut or retire, the team has a veteran in the locker room with Tyrod Taylor signed through the 2025 season. It’s reasonable to assume the veteran backup will start early next season as the team grooms a rookie.
Despite not getting rave reviews, the 2025 draft does have potential. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward have played like top-five draft picks. However, New York will have a slim chance to get them with the Raiders, Giants, and Titans in their way. Currently, the Jets have the seventh overall pick in the draft.
Carson Beck, Georgia
Before the season, University of Georgia quarterback Carson Beck looked like the first overall pick in the draft. However, the senior has been struggling after Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey left for the NFL. His completion percentage dropped from 72.4 to 65.1 and doubled his interceptions from last year throwing 12 picks. And yet, Carson Beck does display great potential. 48 passing touchdowns over the past two seasons after succeeding Stetson Bennett. Beck has thrown for over 300 yards in four games this year, including a career-high 459 yards vs Mississippi State. At 6’4″ and 220 lbs, Beck has great size. Beck also falls within the top 10 for most passing yards lost from dropped passes with 244 yards. With a duo of Garrett Wilson and a receiver like Breece Hall at running back, Carson Beck could develop well with the right coach.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
This season hasn’t gone quite as planned for Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers. The junior quarterback took time to find his footing in his first season in the SEC. Ewers has shined thanks to working with Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian these past two seasons. He’s thrown for nearly 5,500 passing yards and 45 touchdowns with only six interceptions. However, his body has taken a beating this year. Ewers missed two games in September due to an oblique injury and is currently managing a lower ankle sprain. With a 68% completion on his throws in the SEC, Ewers has a lot of promise if he can play behind an offensive line to keep him upright.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
If raw tools were the primary factor, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is a gem in this class. The junior is having a solid season with new head coach Kalen DeBoer leading the way. While nowhere near the polished passer DeBoer had in Michael Penix, Milroe’s strong arm has helped up in his second season as a starter. He’s completed 65% of his passes for over 2,396 yards. But it’s what Milroe can do on the ground that makes him so dangerous. Milroe ran for 615 yards on 4.6 yards per carry and a whooping 17 rushing touchdowns. With 29 rushing touchdowns combined over the last two seasons, Milroe can be a nightmare for defenses near the goal line. Imagine scheming up option plays for Milroe & Breece Hall & Braelon Allen. However, he must continue to speed up his reads. If he can focus on refining his presnap reads and recognizing blitzes, the future is very bright for Milroe at the next level.
Day Two (Rounds 2-3) and Day 3(Rounds 4-7)
If New York does go after a quarterback, it’s no guarantee the team will prioritize them in the first round. The new general manager will have holes on the defensive line, offensive line, and safety position that should be addressed. But there is high-end potential in this class in the later rounds. Drew Allar out of Penn State has starting potential with great size (6’5″ 243 lbs) with a strong arm and great footwork at his size. A potential reunion with his former left tackle Olu Fashanu couldn’t hurt.
Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss has thrived in Lane Kiffin’s quarterback-friendly offense. But he will need refining with dealing with pocket pressure and cutting down on forced throws. While likely to return to LSU for another season, Garrett Nussmeier has shown upside as the Tigers starter. The son of Eagles QB coach Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has dazzled with his impressive arm strength.
Despite a rough performance against Ohio State on Saturday, Kurtis Rourke remains one of this year’s big risers. The Indiana quarterback led Curt Cignetti’s offense into a potential playoff appearance in his first season in the Big10. While his arm strength won’t impress, Rourke has operated like a surgeon in a clean pocket. He’s older than most prospects at 24 years old but provides years of starting experience thanks to his tenure at the University of Ohio before transferring. If he goes to a team with a Shanahan-style offense, he could shock people as a late-round rookie like Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy.
Main Photo: [Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com] – USA Today Sports
