Ahead of Aaron Glenn’s second season, the New York Jets have ignited fresh speculation at the quarterback position after signing veteran Geno Smith on a two-year deal in free agency. The team hosted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar for a private workout at their facility.
According to Connor Hughes, the session included Allar throwing to his college teammates. This pretty much underscores the team’s ongoing search for long-term stability under the center. With his solid college experience, he is seen as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL draft.
“The #Jets had a number of Penn State players at the facility for private workouts this weekend, with the pro day circuit set to begin, per sources,” Hughes wrote. “QB Drew Allar was among them. Team decision makers watched him throw on Friday. Benefit of having him with a number of others: They could see him throw to his guys.”
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Aaron Glenn had Justin Fields as his starting quarterback in his first season with the Jets, signing him on a two-year deal worth $40 million. However, the move didn’t work out as expected, as the quarterback struggled to impress, leading to him being traded away this offseason.
With Geno Smith expected to start next season, whether or not the Jets will utilize one of their draft picks on Drew Allar remains to be seen. The quarterback threw for 7,402 yards and 61 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 45 games during his four-year tenure at Penn State.
Aaron Glenn and the Jets warned against limited-experience quarterbacks in the draft
The New York Jets have been linked to a series of quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, as they look for a long-term option for Aaron Glenn. These include Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who has just 15 starts to his name. ESPN’s Rich Cimini warns the Jets against drafting a quarterback with such limited experience, citing historical record.
“Since 2011, six of the seven first-round quarterbacks with fewer than 17 college starts didn’t pan out in the NFL: Jake Locker (12), Christian Ponder (12), Anthony Richardson Sr. (13), Mitchell Trubisky (13), Blaine Gabbert (13) and Dwayne Haskins (14),” Cimini wrote.
“The lone exception was Cam Newton (14), the 2015 NFL MVP. It would seem counterintuitive for Mougey, who has a long-term plan, to take a quarterback with a light résumé in a thin quarterback class.”
Cimini’s advice makes Drew Allar a solid option for the Jets. The quarterback is one of the most experienced in the draft, with 35 college starts to his name. Aaron Glenn and the Jets could also go for a name like Carson Beck if experience is critical in selecting the long-term option.