The New York Jets’ long-term quarterback outlook remains the biggest of any team in football, especially as the organization heads into the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 2 pick. While much of their conversation has centered around veteran options, some believe the Jets could look toward a higher-ceiling option in a former Penn State star.
Looking at QB’s in this class, Mike Luciano of FanSided named Drew Allar as a developmental option who could make sense for New York if the franchise prioritizes upside over immediate impact.
“Allar would be more of a developmental quarterback than someone who could play right away, which may not be ideal for a Jets team that is trying to improve their passing game in the short term,” Luciano wrote.
The Jets also enter the offseason with pressure to fix their offense, as it was one of the worst units in the NFL. Drafting a quarterback who requires some help and development would likely mean embracing a slower timeline at the position, something most fans likely won’t want.
“Allar is as good as anyone in this draft at dropping back and ripping it. The problem comes when he is under duress, as he lacks the escapability to avoid sacks.
“Allar will need a complete re-work of his mechanics, as his feet are all over the place, especially in late-game pressure situations. Allar was supposed to take off in the 2025 season, but his play took a step back after some enticing 2024 improvements. With his ankle injury throwing another roadblock in his development, taking an injured, largely immobile quarterback off an iffy year may not be appealingm” he wrote.
With his size and above-average arm strength, Allar has flashed the tools scouts like, but he struggled a tad last season.
During his time at Penn State, the flashes were paired with some really weird mistakes, honestly. If he were as good as he needed to be last year, outside of the injury, things would be different. However, we can’t just erase those struggles.
If the Jets believe their offensive staff can develop a quarterback, I like the idea. However, if not, there’s no reason to do this.