Jets Should Look To UFL For Quarterback in 2026
Spring football has given the NFL some special teams options, especially at kicker. With the question marks in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and the other NFL options not looking great, the Jets should turn to the UFL for their quarterback in 2026.
Non-NFL pro leagues have provided the NFL with some good quarterbacks throughout the years. The list is small, but Doug Flutie (USFL/CFL), Jim Kelly (USFL), Doug Williams (USFL), Steve Young (USFL) Kurt Warner (AFL/NFL Europe), Warren Moon (CFL), Joe Theismann (CFL), and Jeff Garcia (CFL) all had varying levels of success in the NFL after playing in other leagues.
After the regular season is complete, NFL teams start signing futures contracts. These are one-year contracts for the minimum salary, and they lock players into a 90-man camp roster spot.
In the case of a specific quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu, that would be $885,000. Both Ta’amu has the skills to lead the Jets in their style of offense, as long as the Jets land some help around them.
They would also sign another NFL vet to compete in camp if they don’t like the quarterbacks in this draft class.
If Ta’amu were to earn a starting job, he’d be an exclusive rights free agent in 2027. The exclusive rights tender in 2027 for both would be $1,050,000. Doing this would give the chance to draft a quarterback in 2027 and not necessarily have to start him as a rookie for a total of $1,935,000.
If he ends up being a hidden gem, 2028 would only cost $1,165,000, as he’d be an exclusive rights free agent again. Then, in 2029, he’d be a restricted free agent. That said, if the one they choose is a hidden gem, the RFA tender probably wouldn’t be the wisest move, especially for a quarterback.
Ta’amu turns 28 in December. Warner turned 28 in his first season as an NFL starter.
So, the Jets would have his age 29-31 seasons on the cheap. The total cost would be $3.1 million.
With the signing of Ta’amu, they could have a cheap bridge, or a hidden gem found from spring football that they have cheap for three seasons. That sounds like a win-win for the Jets that they should absolutely take this offseason.