The New York Jets are moving on from Aaron Rodgers as new head coach Aaron Glenn begins reshaping the team’s future at quarterback.
The Jets now face the challenge of replacing Rodgers, who struggled in his brief 2023 season before suffering an Achilles injury.
The team holds the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While this position typically puts them out of range for top quarterback prospects Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, a new mock draft suggests an unexpected scenario.
Pro Football Focus analyst Jordan Plocher projects Ward falling to the Jets at No. 7, following several surprising picks ahead of them.
In Plocher’s mock draft, the Tennessee Titans take Colorado’s Travis Hunter first overall. The Cleveland Browns select Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 2, while executing a trade sending Myles Garrett to Dallas for the 12th pick.
The mock draft has the Giants selecting Sanders, while the Patriots choose LSU tackle Will Campbell and the Jaguars pick Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham. The Raiders then take Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, allowing Ward to fall to New York.
“With the Jets moving on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, selecting Ward gives them a new signal-caller and face of the franchise,” Plocher wrote. “He’ll step into a situation with a top wide receiver already in place, while new head coach Aaron Glenn will look to build a strong defense to support the young quarterback.”
Ward won the Davey O’Brien award and was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024.
If the Jets draft Ward, he would become their second first-round quarterback in four years, following Zach Wilson’s selection in 2021.
The team could also pursue veteran options through free agency, where Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold are expected to be available.
