Jets QB Jordan Travis retires from football due to gruesome leg injury suffered at Florida State
Jordan Travis speaks to the media during Jets rookie minicamp in Florham Park, N.J., on May 4, 2024. Credit: Ed Murray
Jets quarterback Jordan Travis, a fifth-round pick last year, is retiring from football due to the gruesome lower left leg injury that he suffered in college.
Travis never took a snap in the NFL. The Jets selected him No. 171 overall, but he was never able to get on the practice field.
While at Florida State, Travis sustained a fractured and dislocated ankle against North Alabama in November 2023. He spent all of last season rehabbing, but he said his leg never responded.
"On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn," Travis said in a statement released by the Jets as well as in a post on his personal X account. "I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped.
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) April 30, 2025
“After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I've been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply."
Jets general manager Darren Mougey had been vague in his responses last week when he was asked about Travis’ future with the Jets and his overall health.
“I won’t speak on any of the player’s medicals publicly right now,” Mougey said.
Travis was having a strong season at Florida State, throwing for 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions before getting hurt on a hip-drop tackle on a designed run. Florida State started 11-0.
The Jets hoped that Travis would be healthy enough to practice with them during the second half of the season, but he was never able to return. The plan was for him to learn from veterans Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor.
Travis began the year on the Non-Football Injury (NFI list) and then was placed on the reserve/not-football list. Travis will now be put on the reserve/retired list.
“Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State," Mougey said in a statement. "It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best."
The Jets quarterback room now consists of Justin Fields, Taylor and undrafted rookie Brady Cook from Missouri.
Jets pick up trio of options
The Jets picked up the fifth-year options of three important players from their 2022 draft.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson had their options for 2026 exercised on Wednesday. All three are under Jets' control for the next two seasons. General manager Darren Mougey said last week the Jets would pick up the fifth year on all three before the May 1 deadline.
Gardner and Wilson have been two of the best players on the Jets for the past three seasons, and definite foundation pieces. Johnson could be too, but he is returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 2 last season. Johnson was one of the Jets’ most productive defensive players in 2023.
All three players are eligible for contract extensions. Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have talked about wanting to keep good players in a Jets’ uniform.
The likely scenario is that Gardner and Wilson receive extensions this offseason. The Jets probably will want to see how Johnson comes back from his injury before adding years to his deal.
According to OvertheCap.com, Gardner’s fifth-year option in 2026 is projected to be for $20.186 million, Wilson’s is $16.817 million and Johnson’s $13.411 million.
Gardner, the No. 4 pick in 2022, was First-Team All-Pro and was named to the Pro Bowl his first two seasons in the NFL. He is considered one of the top young cornerbacks in the league.
Wilson has totaled 279 catches for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns since the Jets selected him tenth overall three years ago. He caught 101 passes last season – the second most in franchise history. Wilson is also the second Jet to record three straight 1,000-receiving yard seasons, joining George Sauer.
The Jets traded back into the first round to take the versatile Johnson with the No. 26 pick. He finished second on the Jets with 7.5 sacks in 2023. Johnson also had 55 tackles, 16 quarterback hits and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Johnson made the Pro Bowl as an alternate that year.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
