The first hours of free agency brought a lot of shocking moves in the form of trades rather than signings. Most of the contracts handed out were expected, but the trades are what caught people's attention. The Saints opted to trade their best offensive weapon, Jimmy Graham, to the Seattle Seahawks while the Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams made a deal exchanging Sam Bradford and Nick Foles. So where does that leave the New York Jets in their pursuit of another quarterback for Geno Smith?
The Eagles were expected to adjust their quarterback rotation, but most expected that to come in the form of Mariota in the draft, not Bradford in a trade at the start of free agency. NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed the The Eagles acquired Bradford and a fifth-round draft pick for Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick. The move was costly for Philadelphia as Bradford is likely going to be the starter or at least compete with re-signed Mark Sanchez.
The Eagles gave up a lot for a quarterback who missed the entire 2014 season after two-straight ACL tears. The idea that they give up even more to move up in the draft for Mariota seems completely out of the question. So does that set up the Jets to acquire the quarterback with the No. 6 pick? NJ.com believed if Mariota fell to No. 6, the Eagles would swoop in with a deal that could involve draft picks and Foles. That would set the Jets up with a new potential starting quarterback and more draft picks to work with. Now that is not the case.
The Jets need help around Smith. They have set up their wide receiver rotation with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, but they need an improved quarterback to make things work. According to NFL.com, the Jets were very interested in acquiring free agency Brian Hoyer and were trying to win him over with a contract, but the Houston Texans succeeded in that battle, signing the veteran to add to their rotation.
After Hoyer was signed, the free agent market for quarterbacks is week. Jake Locker announced he is retiring. Josh McCown was signed. Unless the Jets want to bring on someone like Christian Ponder, they will have to look to the draft for help. According to ESPN's Todd McShay the Jets will be taking Mariota at No. 6 and unless a team like the Bears or Browns surprise with a trade, that move will happen.
Of course New York could shock everyone and pull off a trade for Colin Kaepernick. The San Francisco 49ers have shot down that idea several times over the past 48 hours, but anything is possible when teams are desperate. Michael Vick is always available to re-sign.