Jets' big wish list for Santa: They're still hoping he can deliver that franchise QB
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza poses with his Heisman Trophy during a news conference at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Dec. 13, 2025 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images/Adam Hunger
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The things the Jets need won’t necessarily fit under the Christmas tree or in a stocking. They won’t even arrive until 2026, but this is the time to ask.
Here is the Jets’ Christmas wish list:
1. A franchise quarterback
Santa probably is saying, ‘Again?!” Yes, Santa, it’s been an annual request because every year you seem to say, “No. No. No.”
Despite using high draft picks on quarterbacks and trading for or signing former Super Bowl QBs and MVPs, the Jets have missed the playoffs 15 consecutive years and have had a losing record 10 straight times.
The 15 quarterbacks who have started for the Jets since their last winning season are Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty, Geno Smith, Josh McCown, Sam Darnold, Luke Falk, Trevor Siemian, Joe Flacco, Zach Wilson, Mike White, Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook.
The Jets have the assets and flexibility to rebuild the quarterback room, which again has underperformed. Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore will be the primary draft targets. The Jets should acquire a bridge/mentor for the young quarterback. Some possibilities include Mac Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Davis Mills, Marcus Mariota and Malik Willis.
2. A fully functional offense
The Jets put up 32 points in Week 1. Since then, it’s been the same old, well, you know.
The Jets are 28th in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. They’ll likely end up a bottom-five scoring team for the seventh time in 10 years. The Jets’ last top-10 finish was 2008, when Brett Favre was their quarterback.
They’re also 29th in total offense and 32nd in passing yards. They will be a bottom-10 offense for the 10th straight season and a bottom-nine passing team for the seventh time in 10 years. They won’t have a quarterback throw double-digit touchdown passes for the fifth time in six years.
It shouldn’t be so hard to score in today’s NFL. Instability has been an ongoing problem: The Jets have had eight different play-callers in 10 seasons.
3. A pass rush
The Jets averaged 45.3 sacks from 2022-24, the eighth most in the league, under former coach Robert Saleh and coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. They have 25 sacks this season, the second fewest.
They’ve generated very little pass rush despite having some Saleh-Ulbrich players. Steve Wilks’ system wasn’t working or putting players in position to be successful, and Wilks was fired last week.
Will McDonald, who had 10.5 sacks last season, has eight this year. Six came in two games; he has two in the other 13. This could impact whether the Jets pick up his fifth-year option. Jermaine Johnson (three sacks, none in the last five games) also has underperformed.
4. A ballhawking DB
It’s absurd that the Jets don’t have an interception through 15 games. It’s never been done before.
Applying more pressure on quarterbacks and getting them to make mistakes might help.
The Jets need ballhawks, defensive playmakers who can help put their offense in better position to score. Rookie safety Malachi Moore dropped an interception two games ago, but he has a forced fumble and fumble recovery the past two games.
Some possible targets in free agency should be Bears defensive backs Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright — who have 11 interceptions combined — Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen.
5. Health, help and stability for Garrett Wilson
Wilson was off to a fast start before suffering a knee injury, but the Jets weren’t lighting up the scoreboard — this year or in previous ones.
Wilson has had four different offensive coordinators in four seasons and has caught passes from nine quarterbacks. The Jets need more playmakers, better quarterback play and more diversity in the offense.
With the talents of Wilson and Breece Hall, the Jets should have a 1,000-yard receiver and rusher every year. They haven’t had that since 2015.
Wilson leads the Jets with 395 receiving yards even though he hasn’t caught a pass since Oct. 12. Rebuilding the receiver room must be a priority. The Jets hope Adonai Mitchell, acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade, could develop into a No. 2 receiver. They still need more.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
