3 Early Backup Quarterback Targets for Jets to Replace Zach Wilson

3. Gardner Minshew

What Gardner Minshew would give the Jets is very capable backup playmaker. There were rumblings that Minshew wanted to join the Jets in the 2023 offseason but New York decided to pass. They were paying Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson a combined $46 million and didn't want to give more money to that quarterback room.

Minshew ended up signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. That paid off in a huge way for them. The 27-year-old started 13 starts for the Colts due to Anthony Richardson suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

Even though the Colts didn't make the playoffs, the Washington State product had the team playing well and narrowly missing the postseason with a 9-8 record.

Minshew has a moxy about him that gives his team some juice. He plays the game so loose and never seems to get rattled much. In five NFL seasons, Minshew completed 62% of his passes for 9,937 passing yards, 59 passing touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He also notched 37 starts.

Furthermore, in the three seasons that Minshew started nine-plus games, he has thrown for at least 2,200 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns.

New York hasn't had a QB throw for 10 or more TDs since 2019. That's an alarming statistic for a team in the modern era. Obviously, Rodgers will be the lead man but he will be 40 years old during the 2024 season so there is a real possibility that he will miss a few games. Getting a quarterback like Minshew to hold down the fort is a good idea.

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