The New York Jets have shuffled between having a viable backup quarterback and relying on less-proven options over the years.It’s been rare for a Jets backup quarterback to make a discernible impact. Jets starting quarterbacks haven’t been particularly good over the past decade, so it should come as no surprise that the Jets haven’t exactly thrived in the backup department, short of a few Mike White and Joe Flacco games.Tyrod Taylor was an ideal veteran backup for the past two years, albeit for his presence in the locker room. Taylor had trouble staying healthy, which made his tenure with the Jets a bit more challenging.In 2023, the Jets went into the season banking everything on Aaron Rodgers. Then Rodgers got hurt and they were forced to turn back to Zach Wilson before switching to Tim Boyle, and then back to Wilson, and eventually to Trevor Siemian.The Jets were in decent shape at backup quarterback in 2022 with White and Flacco — Flacco won a thrilling Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns and White dominated against the Chicago Bears and nearly carried the Jets to wins over the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings (if not for a cracked rib against Buffalo and a brutal Braxton Berrios drop against Minnesota).In 2021, coach Robert Saleh went into the season without any legitimate backup option behind Wilson and was perturbed any time he was asked about it. Eventually he relented, signing Josh Johnson and trading for Flacco.The last truly, resoundingly successful backup quarterback the Jets had was the one behind their current starter (Geno Smith) in 2015. After Smith’s jaw was broken by a punch from a teammate, Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in and put together one of the best quarterbacking seasons in team history, and the Jets won 10 games — their only winning record in the past 15 years.That all leads here: The Jets’ backup quarterback situation isn’t the most exciting right now. But, like in 2021, just because it looks like this now doesn’t mean the quarterback room will look the same when the season starts (even if coach Aaron Glenn has been unwilling to admit they might still add someone else after exploring veterans such as Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz this offseason).“We’re always going to create competition when it comes to that,” Glenn said at the end of minicamp. “I would say this: Those guys are going to continue to compete. I would never sit here at this time of the year and say, OK, this guy’s going to be our backup quarterback. Guys, we have training camp to go through, and I think I’ve said that before: Those guys are going to compete and see who actually comes out of that fight.”What options are out there if general manager Darren Mougey decides to bring in someone else to better protect the Jets in the event that Smith misses any games?Let’s take a dive into the current roster, free agency and some potential trade (or waiver wire) targets:On the rosterCade Klubnik: The Jets are high on Klubnik, drafted him in the fourth round and appear to want to give him every opportunity to win the backup job. A back injury knocked him out for the latter half of spring, but he is expected to be fine for the start of training camp. He had some ups and downs in the practices he participated in, and he brings a high IQ, good athleticism and a solid baseline of arm talent. Ideally, though, he doesn’t have to play in any games this year so the Jets can focus on his development. “He was doing a really good job until he was out with a back (injury),” Glenn said. I generally operate under the assumption that every quarterback on the Jets’ roster or practice squad has to play at some point — because that’s how it always goes around here.Bailey Zappe: He ran with the twos in OTAs and minicamp and is the most experienced of this bunch — though that has only amounted to 15 games and nine starts over time with the New England Patriots and Browns. He didn’t show enough yet to lock him into the job, but he is on par or better than many of the available veteran options out there right now. Glenn pointed out that Zappe “has been around this league for a long time; he’s won some games.”Brady Cook: He’s a valued locker room guy and is lauded for his IQ, it’s just fairly evident — both from the games he played last season (two touchdowns, seven interceptions) and practices in the spring — that he is probably not an NFL quarterback. Glenn said he is “still developing.”Jets quarterbacks Geno Smith (7) and Brady Cook (4) participate in a drill during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. (John Jones / Imagn Images)In free agencyCooper Rush: The Jets had at least looked into Rush earlier this offseason and have had all offseason to sign him, so it doesn’t appear this marriage will be happening — though it can’t be ruled out if the Jets get to training camp and the other options still aren’t standing out. The 32-year-old has started 16 games and won nine of them, though he has only completed 61.1 percent of his passes.Josh Dobbs: Once upon a time, there were some upset that the Jets didn’t trade for the “Passtronaut.” After a fun few games with the Vikings in 2023, he came back down to earth. He has started 15 games, though only one since that season. He has thrown for 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and would probably be an upgrade over who the Jets have.Brett Rypien: He was once a Jet (in 2023) but never threw a pass. The 29-year-old has four career starts, two of them against the Jets, and he spent a few years in Denver when Mougey was there.Mike White: He has only thrown 17 passes since leaving the Jets as a free agent after the 2022 season. Many of his old teammates are gone at this point, but an important one (Garrett Wilson) loved White and he is still around. Maybe White isn’t a QB2 at this point, but the Jets could do worse than him for training camp competition and the practice squad.Analyzing 3 standout performers from the Jets' offseason programZack RosenblattVia trade (or post-training camp waiver wire)Will Levis (Titans): I would characterize him as one of the more likely potential targets on this list, because there’s no place for him anymore on a Tennessee roster with Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky. He is a flawed quarterback and turnover-prone, but his athleticism and arm talent are undeniable and worth pursuing if it only takes a late draft pick or a waiver-wire claim.Spencer Rattler (Saints): New Orleans has Tyler Shough and signed old friend Zach Wilson this offseason. New Orleans won’t release Rattler and it’s unclear how much they’d want in a trade, but he’s an ideal option as a young backup with starting experience (14 starts in two years) and room to grow.Andy Dalton (Eagles): The Eagles have Tanner McKee, rookie Cole Payton and Dalton all in the quarterback room behind Jalen Hurts. It’s possible Philadelphia intends to keep all four, but of the group, Dalton would feel like the most gettable as a 38-year-old — and his ties to Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich don’t hurt.Dillon Gabriel (Browns): This wouldn’t excite anyone, but Gabriel was a third-round pick a year ago — whether he should have been is another story. But the Browns’ QB room is suddenly busy with Shedeur Sanders’ presence, Deshaun Watson’s return and the addition of rookie Taylen Green. Gabriel did throw for seven touchdowns and two interceptions in six starts as a rookie, albeit while losing all but one start with a sub-60 completion percentage.Aidan O’Connell (Raiders): The Raiders have a busy quarterback room after adding Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins. The 27-year-old O’Connell started 17 games in 2023-24 and has thrown for 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and completed 62 percent of his passes.Mason Rudolph/Will Howard (Steelers): Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh and the Steelers drafted Drew Allar, so one of these two seems likely to hit the chopping block. Howard is a 24-year-old former sixth-round pick without any NFL games on his resume. Rudolph is 30 with 19 career starts and a 9-9-1 record — along with 30 career touchdowns and 22 interceptions.Anthony Richardson (Colts): Indianapolis isn’t going to give him away for nothing, but there also clearly hasn’t been much real interest in the former first-rounder, otherwise he would’ve been traded already. He’s a highly flawed player with tantalizing athleticism, size and arm strength, and he is worth taking a flier on at the right price — it just feels unlikely here as the Jets protect 2027 NFL Draft capital.Sam Howell/Joe Milton (Cowboys): Both would be intriguing options, though it’s possible the Cowboys intend to keep three quarterbacks. Howell has 18 career starts, and Milton has none.Brandon Allen (Giants): The Giants have Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston already, though Dart is injury-prone. Allen has 10 career starts.Max Brosmer (Vikings): Kevin O’Connell was high on the former undrafted rookie, but he has fallen on the depth chart with the addition of Kyler Murray and return of both J.J. McCarthy and Wentz. He threw zero touchdowns and four interceptions last season, though he was an undrafted rookie thrown into the fire before he was ready.