For years, the New York Jets' search for a reliable quarterback has been a story of disappointment and false starts. As the team looks ahead to the 2026 season, a significant strategic shift is being discussed across the NFL. Instead of gambling on another young prospect, the franchise is reportedly considering a move for an established veteran to stabilise its offence, with Atlanta Falcons' four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins emerging as a potential target.
Why the Jets Are Shifting Focus to Experience
The 2025 season served as a painful reminder of the Jets' ongoing quarterback crisis. A short-lived experiment with Justin Fields failed to deliver, leaving New York languishing near the bottom of the league standings once again. While the upcoming draft boasts several promising young talents, there is a growing sense of caution within the Jets organisation about throwing another rookie into a high-pressure, unstable situation.
This internal apprehension is what makes the idea of signing a proven veteran like Kirk Cousins increasingly appealing. The logic is clear: after a decade of instability, the team's immediate need is for skilled execution and reliability, not just raw potential. Cousins, despite being in the latter stages of his career, has consistently demonstrated his ability to run an NFL offence efficiently when healthy and supported by a functioning system.
Kirk Cousins: A Short-Term Bridge, Not a Long-Term Saviour
Cousins' current situation with the Atlanta Falcons adds intrigue to the speculation. He signed a massive $180 million contract with the Falcons in 2024, but his tenure there has been marred by injuries and a late-season benching, casting doubt on his long-term future with the team. However, in 2025, he started seven games in a relief role and proved he could still command an offence effectively.
For the Jets, Cousins would not be viewed as a franchise saviour for the next decade. Instead, his role would be that of a high-calibre bridge quarterback. This strategy would allow New York to leverage its existing young offensive weapons, like star receiver Garrett Wilson, immediately while creating a rare luxury for the franchise: the ability to draft and patiently develop a rookie quarterback behind a seasoned professional.
The Crucial Conditions for a Potential Deal
Any potential move to bring Cousins to New York would hinge on critical assurances. NFL analysts believe the veteran quarterback would only consider the Jets if he received clear guarantees that he would not be benched mid-season in favour of a rookie. This scenario, which disrupted his final months in Atlanta, is a non-negotiable point for Cousins seeking stability.
While using a high draft pick on a quarterback remains a strong possibility, the growing chatter linking the Jets to Cousins signals that a more cautious, experience-driven approach is gaining traction within the organisation. After years of speculation and failed projects, the New York Jets may finally be ready to prioritise proven stability over yet another hopeful gamble.
