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 at center for the New York Jets.

This is reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and CBS Sports’ Josina AndersonThe team isn’t interested in adding a quarterback after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury. Rumors about the two started circulating immediately after Rodgers went down on Monday Jordan Schultz reported that Kaepernick’s agent actually contacted the Jets, although that investigation now appears to be fruitless.

In the case of Brady, Russini reports that Jets GM Joe Douglas will not make any inquiries about the 46-year-old because he has made it clear that he is done playing football.

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

Additionally, Anderson writes, whoever the team adds at quarterback will be brought in with the understanding that Zach Wilson is the starter. Wilson, 24, led the Jets to a 22-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills after Rodgers suffered his injury in the fourth quarter on 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 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 pending his release after the 2016 season, but has remained unsigned since.

Brady, meanwhile, has repeatedly made it clear that he is done with the NFL as he embarks on a post-playing career that will include business partnerships, a stake in Birmingham City and a broadcast gig with Fox that will 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 to send the game into overtime, though credit goes to the second-year wideout, who tipped the ball to himself while fending off Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White.

Still, 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 longtime Wilson defender — called the effort “tremendous.”

“We still have a lot of confidence in him and have proven that by keeping him here (after Rodgers’ takeover) and continuing to invest in him,” Saleh told reporters.

Zach Wilson of the New York Jets celebrates the victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday evening

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

That decision to keep Wilson as Rodgers’ backup was unpopular with fans.

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

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

For better or worse, the Jets are likely looking at Wilson staying under center until further notice.