If the New York Jets go out and find a quarterback in free agency, it won’t be ex-Texans starter Ryan Mallet.
When the New York Jets started Sunday afternoon’s game in Oakland, they had two healthy quarterbacks to throw out on the field. At the end of the loss to the Raiders, they had lost both of those quarterbacks they played in the game. Ryan Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his hand, while Geno Smith proceeded to be slapped around like a rag doll.
The end result of that is the sudden need for the Jets to possibly have to go out and sign a quarterback to make sure they have a coherent plan moving forward. They might not need a quarterback on the open market, but if they do go out and pursue adding a warm body ahead of Bryce Petty on the roster, it won’t be Ryan Mallet.
According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, the Jets will not be entertaining the idea of Mallet as an option.
This isn’t all that surprising since Mallett has been a problem for the Texans this season — which led to his release. The fact of the matter is, we may not see the Jets go out and get a quarterback at all, as they need to first figure out the health of the guys they have and if a free agent option is better than either starting Geno Smith or rookie Bryce Petty.
The short answer to the is: no.
Trade options could include someone like Mike Glennon in Tampa Bay, who isn’t going to be taking the starting job anytime soon, but that would involve giving up assets to accommodate a team would likes their backup situation. The Bucs aren’t going to give away Glennon — who isn’t very high on the quarterback totem pole which tells you all you need to know about easy it will be for the Jets to find outside help.