New York Jets Invite Quarterback Who Threw 44 Touchdowns In A Single-Season To Minicamp
- Dominic Konareski
- May 5
- 2 min read
The New York Jets quarterback room is stuffed like my stomach at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Four quarterbacks are on New York’s roster post-draft, with the possibility of adding one more in a potential Russell Wilson signing. Unfortunately though, there is not unlimited space for Mr.Unlimited at this point unless a cut or trade occurs.
With Wilson being signed as QB2 has grown – especially with Tyrod Taylor going to Green Bay – the Jets will be faced with a decision in the coming weeks. New York’s quarterback room stands full with Geno Smith, Brady Cook, Cade Kubnik and Bailey Zappe, who are all listed in their projected roles from starter to practice squad as of now. Zappe would likely be the odd man out if Wilson ends up being added, due to his low 1-year, $1.215 million reserve/future contract with the organization.
Earlier this week, the Jets did invite an undrafted arm to rookie minicamp and the already packed quarterback room may have a potential upset.
The Jets invited the undrafted arm of Jake Retzlaff to rookie minicamp. Retzlaff, 23, stands at 6-foot-1 and spent the 2025 season with Tulane University. Retzlaff went 11-3 as a starter for the Green Wave and completed 61% of his passes for 3,168 yards. Despite the high passing yards and a respectable completion percentage, Retzlaff only threw for 15 touchdowns, averaging one per-game, while also turning the ball over 7 times via interceptions.
Retzlaff’s low passing touchdown numbers were made up for on the ground, as he recorded an impressive career-high 16 rushing touchdowns across 634 rushing yards.
Overall, Retzlaff has always been a considerable threat both through the air and on the ground. Going to the CCCAA to play at the JUCO level with Golden West and Riverside, Retzlaff threw for 7,898 yards, 67 touchdowns (to just 19 interceptions) and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 25 games at the community college level. 2022 marked the best season for Retzlaff, who threw for 4,596 yards and a 44 TD-14 INT ratio (stats part of his overall CCCAA career).
Retzlaff is the type of player who could break out of minicamp, especially with a QB-needy team. Unfortunately for him, with how the offseason has gone, the Jets don't really fit that type of urgency. If Retzlaff is able to stay on for the preseason then he will definitely be a solid contender for a practice squad slot, but at this point he likely will need to hope to be picked up by a different team due to how full the Jets quarterback room is.
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