New York Jets Have ‘Donovan McNabb’ QB as Potential Target Amid Justin Fields Addition

Coming off a short and ultimately failed Aaron Rodgers experiment, the New York Jets are now looking in a different direction. After hiring a new head coach and a new general manager in Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, respectively, New York is eager to start a new chapter in the franchise.

As part of the team’s transition, the Jets also signed former Ohio State Buckeyes star quarterback Justin Fields in the offseason.

However, a long-term answer under center remains uncertain for New York. The Jets did not take a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, but they could in 2026, especially if Fields doesn’t pan out to be someone worthy of a prolonged QB1 status designation.

A first-round QB for the New York Jets in 2026?

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) before the play call against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

This brings us to a recent 2026 NFL mock draft by Jordan Reid of ESPN, who has the Jets picking a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, namely LaNorris Sellers of the South Carolina Gamecocks football program.

If the Jets are picking this high, they probably didn’t have a great 2025 season. And that means they would be in the market for a quarterback, despite another year on Justin Fields’ contract.

Sellers’ superb traits make him a contender for a meteoric rise up the board. He’s a true dual threat, having passed for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with 7 interceptions in 2024 while rushing for another 674 yards and seven scores. Sellers will have to improve his pocket vision and ball security (six lost fumbles in seven games), but he has the physical tools that NFL teams covet. He reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb coming out of Syracuse.

Sellers is coming off a head-turning season with the Gamecocks, passing for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions on a 65.6 percent completion rate. As a dual-threat QB, Sellers also burned rubber for 674 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 166 carries.

While he’s far from a finished product, there is a big ceiling for Sellers, who got offers from the Syracuse Orange, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Virginia Tech Hokies and Virginia Cavaliers before South Carolina earned his nod.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers — Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up before an AFC wild card game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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Jets Dumping Justin Fields Predicted Due to 2026 NFL Draft Pick

The New York Jets are predicted to ditch Justin Fields for a future draft pick.

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Justin Fields is expected to be the starting quarterback of the New York Jets in 2025 and perhaps 2026. Fields inked a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets this past offseason, and with no clear contingency plan, especially with the retirement of Jordan Travis, Fields looks to be in sole possession of the starting job for the next two seasons, barring a massive change.

Fields certainly has his skeptics, however. ESPN’s Jordan Reid released a way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft, which has the Jets selecting a quarterback to replace fields. Most notably, he has the Jets taking a quarterback at No. 4, suggesting he believes the Jets will fare worse in 2025 than they did in 2024 and completely bottom-out.

In which case, Fields likely wouldn’t be tabbed to be the team’s starter in 2026. According to Reid, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers will be the man for the jobs.

“If the Jets are picking this high, they probably didn’t have a great 2025 season. And that means they would be in the market for a quarterback, despite another year on Justin Fields’ contract.

New York Jets Have 'Donovan McNabb' QB as Potential Target Amid Justin Fields Addition | Yardbarker

Sellers’ superb traits make him a contender for a meteoric rise up the board. He’s a true dual threat, having passed for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with 7 interceptions in 2024 while rushing for another 674 yards and seven scores. Sellers will have to improve his pocket vision and ball security (six lost fumbles in seven games), but he has the physical tools that NFL teams covet. He reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb coming out of Syracuse.” Reid wrote.