Jets Connected to $37 Million QB Trade, Aaron Rodgers Successor
The New York Jets currently find themselves in an enviable position at quarterback, with veteran Aaron Rodgers leading the charge. Rodgers, with his wealth of experience and decorated career, offers the Jets stability in the short term. However, the long-term outlook for the team’s QB1 position is still a bit uncertain.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano, one name that could emerge as a potential future option is Carolina Panthers’ young signal-caller, Bryce Young. Graziano noted that fans should “not sleep” on the Jets as a possible landing spot for Young, should the Panthers decide to make him available via trade. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is in the second year of his rookie deal, a contract worth $37 million.
The Jets, meanwhile, have the distinction of owning the oldest quarterback room in the NFL. Rodgers is approaching 40, while backup Tyrod Taylor is 35. While Rodgers’ presence undoubtedly elevates the Jets’ immediate fortunes, his age raises the question of how long he can sustain his high-level play. The team tried to inject some youth into the mix by drafting Jordan Travis from Florida State in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Travis, selected 171st overall, is viewed as a developmental prospect at best. At 24, Travis is older than most rookies, and the Jets seem to be tempering expectations, hoping he can at least become a solid long-term backup. The franchise quarterback label, however, doesn’t seem to be in the cards for him.
In contrast, Bryce Young is just 23 years old and, despite early struggles, still carries the pedigree of being a top draft pick. Though there is a risk that Young could be labeled a bust, his supporters argue that the dysfunction surrounding the Panthers may have contributed to his underwhelming performance. Young has already faced adversity, having been benched by Carolina ahead of Week 3. While the Panthers have publicly stated they don’t intend to trade him, NFL Insider Adam Schefter has reported that many league sources believe it’s only a matter of time before a deal involving the second-year quarterback materializes.
The question then becomes: what is Young’s trade value? Despite his struggles, Schefter suggests that the Panthers could still receive meaningful compensation in any potential deal involving their young quarterback. For the Jets, trading for Young could represent a low-risk, high-reward scenario. If they acquire him, Young would be allowed to develop behind the scenes without the immense pressure he currently faces in Carolina. In New York, Young would start as the third-string quarterback, behind Rodgers and Taylor, giving him time to refine his skills without the weight of immediate expectations.
This scenario would allow Young to reset his career trajectory. No longer would he be burdened with the expectations that come with being a No. 1 overall pick. Instead, he would have the space to grow, perhaps one day emerging as a long-term franchise quarterback for the Jets. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Young isn’t able to live up to those lofty hopes. But for the Jets, if the price is reasonable, it might be worth taking a chance.
Over his short career, Young has started 18 games, completing 59.3% of his passes for 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. These numbers don’t jump off the page, but they do hint at potential. During a joint practice between the Jets and Panthers last season, Rodgers even offered some words of praise for the young quarterback. “I like the kid a lot,” Rodgers said in 2023. “We share an agent, so I’ve known about him for a long time. I loved watching him in college, I like his demeanor. I like his movement, I like the way he throws.”
Rodgers’ admiration aside, the Jets are no strangers to quarterbacks who struggled in their first stop, only to find success later on. Both Geno Smith and Sam Darnold were drafted by New York with high expectations, only to fall short. However, both QBs eventually found success elsewhere in the NFL, with Smith becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback in Seattle and Darnold carving out a role as a valuable backup. If Bryce Young were to make his way to New York, he might follow a similar path—learning, adjusting, and perhaps flourishing in a new environment.
In the end, while Bryce Young’s future remains unclear, the idea of him landing with the Jets offers an intriguing possibility. With Rodgers leading the charge for now, Young could be groomed in the background, with an eye toward the future. It’s a gamble, but one that could pay dividends for a franchise always on the lookout for its next great quarterback.