Jets GM Scouted Notre Dame Quarterback C.J. Carr

New York Jets General Manager Darren Mougey attended three Notre Dame games to evaluate the rising quarterback prospect.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Football

Jets GM Scouted Notre Dame Quarterback C.J. Carr

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New York Jets General Manager Darren Mougey has attended three Notre Dame games during the 2026 season to scout quarterback C.J. Carr. Some draft projections currently link the prospect to the Jets with the fifth overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Jets are navigating long-term uncertainty at the quarterback position as their current starter approaches his 36th birthday. Evaluating young talent like Carr is a critical step in addressing the team's future roster stability.

In a 37-26 victory over North Carolina, C.J. Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. Notre Dame remains undefeated with a 5-0 record on the season.

The players

Darren Mougey

He serves as the General Manager for the New York Jets and is responsible for talent evaluation.

C.J. Carr

He is a quarterback playing for the undefeated Notre Dame college football team.

Geno Smith

He is the current starting quarterback for the New York Jets.

The details

General Manager Darren Mougey traveled to observe the quarterback in person during three separate games throughout the season. The Jets roster currently includes Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, and practice squad quarterback Will Levis.

Darren Mougey attended three games during the 2026 season.
Notre Dame defeated North Carolina 37-26 on October 3, 2026.
Geno Smith celebrates his 36th birthday on October 10, 2026.
The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in 2027.

The Big Picture

This scouting effort serves as an early positioning strategy by the Jets ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft. The move underscores how professional teams must aggressively scout collegiate prospects to prepare for the annual player selection process.

With Geno Smith turning 36, the team's investment in scouting indicates a potential pivot toward a younger successor in the upcoming draft. This impacts the team's long-term salary cap planning and future rotation strategy.

The takeaway

The active pursuit of collegiate prospects highlights the necessity of long-term succession planning in professional sports. Fans should monitor the team's performance relative to draft order, as this will determine the feasibility of selecting top prospects like Carr.