New York Jets ‘RULE OUT Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick from their QB search’ in the wake of Aaron Rodgers’ injury… but team will ‘narrow down their options today’

Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick will not be under center for the New York Jets.

As reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the team is not interested in adding either quarterback following Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury. Rumors began circulating about both quarterbacks immediately after Rodgers went down on Monday. Furthermore, Jordan Schultz later reported that Kaepernick’s agent had indeed contacted the Jets, although that investigation now appears fruitless.

In Brady’s case, Russini reports that Jets general manager Joe Douglas won’t ask about the 46-year-old because he has made it clear he has stopped playing football.

And as for Kaepernick, Anderson writes that the team won’t pursue him and will instead focus on adding someone familiar with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system.

Plus, Anderson writes, whoever the team adds at quarterback will be brought in knowing Zach Wilson is the starter. Wilson, 24, guided the Jets to a 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills after Rodgers was injured in the fourth quarter Monday night.

Tom Brady (left) and Colin Kaepernick (right) will not be under center for the New York Jets

In what turned out to be a major tease for Jets fans, Aaron Rodgers is seen warming up on Monday.

Kaepernick has been out of the NFL since March 2017, following a season in which he sparked national controversy by protesting racist police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.

He opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in anticipation of his release after the 2016 season, but has not signed since.

Brady, meanwhile, has made it clear multiple times that he is done with the NFL as he embarks on a post-playing career that involves corporate partnerships, a stake in Birmingham City and a gig as broadcast with Fox which is expected to begin in 2024.

Wilson was far from perfect in Rodgers’ place Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He threw a late touchdown to Garrett Wilson that sent the game into overtime, although credit went to the second-year player, who threw the ball to himself while battling Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White.

Yet despite an interception, Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, while keeping New York in position to pull off a major upset.

Afterward, Jets head coach Robert Saleh – a staunch defender of Wilson – called the effort “brilliant.”

“We still have a lot of confidence in him and we proved it by keeping him here (after the Rodgers acquisition) and continuing to invest in him,” Saleh told reporters.

Zach Wilson of the New York Jets celebrates victory against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night

Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards en route to upset win over the Bills

This decision to keep Wilson as Rodgers’ replacement was not popular with fans.

After all, it was Wilson’s struggles in his first two seasons that necessitated the acquisition of Rodgers in the first place. The second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson struggled with injuries early in the 2022 campaign, but struggled upon his return and was ultimately benched.

Still, Saleh didn’t hesitate to refer to Wilson as “the guy” when discussing the team’s plans at quarterback with reporters after Monday’s win.

For better or worse, the Jets are likely considering Wilson continuing at center until further notice.