Even though it appeared that Aaron Rodgers had every intention of staying with the New York Jets next season, new head coach Aaron Glenn effectively sent the veteran packing.

Glenn’s first major move as head coach is now finding a replacement for Rodgers, which will be no easy task—despite the 41-year-old coming off a rough season.

The Jets could explore the free agency market, where notable options like Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins may be available. Alternatively, they could attempt to trade up or wait patiently in the 2025 NFL Draft to secure their future quarterback.

Currently, the Jets hold the No. 7 overall pick, likely putting them out of reach for the draft’s top two quarterback prospects, Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. However, in Pro Football Focus analyst Jordan Plocher’s latest mock draft, the Jets hold steady at No. 7 and still manage to land Ward.

Plocher’s projection is bold, suggesting Ward could slide down the board in an unexpected turn of events. He has the Tennessee Titans selecting Colorado’s Travis Hunter first overall, removing them from the quarterback market. The Cleveland Browns then select Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, while simultaneously trading Myles Garrett to the Dallas Cowboys for the No. 12 pick, which they use to draft Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.

In this scenario, Sanders falls to the Giants, while the Patriots and Jaguars focus on the trenches—LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell heads to Foxborough, and Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham lands in Jacksonville. The Raiders also pass on Ward, opting for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. That allows the Jets to select Ward at No. 7, making for a surprising drop for the Heisman Trophy finalist and Davey O’Brien award winner.

“With the Jets moving on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, selecting Ward gives them a new signal-caller and face of the franchise,” Plocher wrote. “He’ll step into a situation with a top wide receiver already in place, while new head coach Aaron Glenn will look to build a strong defense to support the young quarterback.”

If drafted, Ward would join a long list of Jets quarterbacks burdened with the hope of turning around the franchise. He would also become the second quarterback the Jets have selected in the first round in the last four years, following BYU’s Zach Wilson.