Jets Sign Former UFL MVP As Aaron Rodgers Backup

The New York Jets have a new potential backup quarterback for starter Aaron Rodgers.

The Jets announced on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday that they have signed quarterback Adrian Martinez. The Jets also signed cornerback Kendall Sheffield and released cornerback Nehemiah Shelton and quarterback Ben Bryant to make room on their 90-man roster.

Martinez spent the spring playing for the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL. Martinez starred for the Stallions, winning the UFL MVP and leading his team to the UFL championship.

The quarterback, who led the UFL with 528 rushing yards during the regular season, also won the UFL championship game MVP.

Martinez passed for 1,749 yards and 15 touchdowns on his way to the UFL MVP award.

Martinez played college football at Nebraska and Kansas State. He went undrafted last year and spent the 2023 preseason with the Detroit Lions.

Martinez will join a crowded quarterback room for the Jets. In addition to Rogers, the Jets already had Tyrod Taylor, fifth-round rookie Jordan Travis and undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley on their roster.

Recently-released Bryant was also a rookie.

Clearly, one year after playing practically a complete season with backup signal callers, the Jets want quarterback depth at training camp. But with Martinez, the Jets add a little more experience behind center.