The wait is over. With reportedly more than $74 million in cap space and several needs, the Jets will Monday at noon be permitted to negotiate with agents of players who are set to become unrestricted free agents. While the 2026 League Year and free agency/trading periods won't begin until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, action is about to heat up throughout the league.

"Starting in free agency, feel really good about the cap space we have," said GM Darren Mougey at the NFL Combine. "I believe we'll be able to add some good players during this free agency process to the team that will help us with really a focus of, if you look at our roster right now, we got one of the younger rosters in the NFL if you exclude all the free agents and RFAs. An opportunity to add some veteran players, some veteran leadership at certain positions."

The Jets are one of several clubs who could be addressing the quarterback position early in free agency. The Arizona Cardinals informed Kyler Murray that he will be released on Wednesday, when the new league year begins. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of five players in NFL history throw for more than 20,000 yards and run for more 3,000 yards in their seven seasons. Geno Smith, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2013 who spent his first four seasons in green & white, will be released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday. In three seasons as a starter with the Seahawks from 2022-24, Smith hit on 68.2% of his passes while averaging 3,948 pass yards and 22 TDs and 12 INTs. Malik Willis is an intriguing dual threat who doesn't have a ton of experience but has flashed a ton of potential. Teams can negotiate with the former Packers' QB on Monday.

There also could be a robust trade market at the position and many pundits have speculated if the Jets would consider making calls on several veterans including two – Jacoby Brisett and Andy Dalton – who played under Jets OC Frank Reich in Indianapolis and Carolina, respectively. HC Aaron Glenn hired Reich and QB coach Bill Musgrave this offseason and the veteran pair have decades of experience working with different QBs. Free agent Carson Wentz played under Reich in both Philadelphia and Indianapolis.

"I think that conversation of fit is definitely important with the quarterback position, really with every position, but specifically the quarterback position," Mougey said in Indy. "The fit with the team, the current situation, the fit with the play-caller is important. So, we look at all those things and we have those discussions."

The Jets have already been busy making moves ahead of the flurry ahead. They recently played the franchise tag on RB Breece Hall after acquiring DT D'Vondre Sweat from the Titans in exchange for edge Jermaine Johnson. The club also re-signed TE Jelani Woods and exercised their exclusive tender rights on DT Jowon Briggs and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

While the Jets' offseason approach at quarterback will dominate the headlines, they have decisions to make guard (Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson have expiring deals), wide receiver, edge, linebacker and safety. Some of their own notable free agents include G Alijah Vera-Tucker, LB Quincy Williams and K Nick Folk. And as Glenn looks to rebuild his defense, players like LB Alex Anazalone (DET) and edges Al-Quadin Muhammad (DET) and Marcus Davenport (NO) all lined up for the Jets HC in Detroit and could find new homes.