With Rodgers out, would Jets consider adding Wentz? Bringing Flacco back?

An MRI confirmed the New York Jets’ worst fears.

Aaron Rodgers indeed suffered a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills — ending the 39-year-old’s season and possibly the quarterback’s career. The news is brutal for both Rodgers and the Jets, a team that before the injury had designs on a Super Bowl.

Coach Robert Saleh said after Monday’s win that backup Zach Wilson is again “The Guy” for the Jets. 

“I want to make it very clear, Zach’s our guy,” Saleh told reporters Tuesday. “We have a lot of faith in Zach. We’re rolling with Zach and (are) excited for him.”

Let’s see how the Jets feel a month from now.

No one would blame New York for exploring other options given that Wilson — the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 — was benched last season and has struggled when he’s on the field. And though Saleh dismissed the possibility of bringing in a new starter over Wilson, the coach didn’t rule out bringing in another quarterback to have in the room. 

If the Jets plan to add another signal-caller, starter or otherwise, here’s a look at the passers who might be an option for New York — including a name very familiar to Commanders fans. 

Joe Flacco: Is he the most realistic candidate to replace Rodgers? Flacco spent the last three seasons with the Jets and started four games for New York last season. The 38-year-old also recently told ESPN that he still has a desire to play football and is not retired.

One important note, the Jets’ offensive schemes have changed since last season — meaning Flacco would have to learn an entirely new system. That might make him less appealing, but that hasn’t stopped Flacco from being interested in the gig. ESPN reported Tuesday that Flacco remains in “good shape, waiting for another shot.”

Carson Wentz: Hours before Rodgers went down, the former Commanders starter — still unsigned, by the way — gave an update on his life on Instagram. “Throwin’ darts in the woods while waiting to throw darts on Sundays,” Wentz wrote, including a picture of him in hunting gear next to a shot deer. At least, we know he can still hit one target. 

Yes, Wentz’s signing wouldn’t be terribly inspiring for a team that thought Rodgers was going to be its quarterback this season. But the 30-year-old has plenty of experience playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Commanders. Wentz has even reportedly been open to a backup job, something he did last season when the Commanders stuck with Taylor Heinicke for a stretch even after Wentz’s finger injury. When the quarterback took the field, he underwhelmed: Wentz had just 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions in eight games for Washington. 

Matt Ryan: The former MVP hasn’t technically retired, but the quarterback is now an analyst for CBS — a sign his playing career is coming to an end. Last year, Ryan looked well past his prime in his lone season with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts benched Ryan halfway through the season, played him again for a five-game stretch and then ultimately sat him for the final three weeks. He finished with 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 12 games.

Would Ryan sign with the Jets if it wasn’t for an opportunity to start? Probably not, at this point. But here’s a better question: What will happen first, Ryan suiting up for the Jets or Ryan calling a Jets game on CBS? Someone create odds for that — pronto. 

Tom Brady: Good luck convincing him to come out of retirement, especially if the Jets are set on Wilson. But hey, it’s worth at least making a phone call. And if the Jets could land Brady, then their fans might finally forgive Bill Belichick for pulling a fast one on them all those years ago. Right? Right? Alright, maybe not.

Philip Rivers: Rivers has been out of football the last two seasons, but San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the 41-year-old was the team’s contingency plan if it had made the Super Bowl last season after a myriad of injuries at quarterback. Like with Brady, it might be worth making the call. 

Colin Kaepernick: Anytime there’s a situation like this, Kaepernick gets an honorary mention. Sure, the 35-year-old hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2016 season, but his desire to return to the league reportedly remains strong. Kaepernick’s agent reached out to the Jets in the wake of Rodgers’ injury, the quarterback told NFL insider Jordan Schultz. “I just need a shot,” Kaepernick said. 

Jameis Winston: Unlike the others, Winston remains on an NFL roster — serving as a backup for the New Orleans Saints. Winston, though, has starting experience and is only 29 years old. The problem: The Saints might not want to trade him with third-stringer Jake Haener suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

Not worth their own paragraph, but available: Nick Foles, Colt McCoy, Trevor Siemian, Chase Daniel and Mike Glennon. Former Chiefs backup Chad Henne, technically retired, may be another one to keep an eye on as the Jets reportedly have reached out.