Former New York Jets player Joe Namath walks the field as the Jets warm up before a game against the New York Giants on Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP file photo)

NEW YORK — Joe Namath has heard the question for years. Decades, really.

Can the Jets’ quarterback — whoever that happens to be — become the next Broadway Joe?

The franchise has been on a mostly fruitless search since Namath last played for the Jets in 1976, a span during which 34 players have started at quarterback for New York. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in April, will likely become No. 35 when the Jets kick off the regular season at Carolina on Sept. 12.

But until someone — and New York hopes it will someday be Wilson — leads the franchise back to the Super Bowl for the first time since it won its only title in 1969, Namath will continue to be the measuring stick for every Jets QB.

“Well, I’m thankful,” the 78-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “I thank God every day, several times, for my health, my family, my family’s health. And for the Jets fans, man, it’s about a championship. I happened to be on a team that answered the challenge and we got it done. Yes, I happened to be the guy that handled the ball a lot and I’m flattered whenever they remember that. But we did it together. We won a championship.

“And these fans deserve a championship.”

They certainly have waited a long time for another one. They’d first like to see the Jets at least make the playoffs and snap a 10-season drought that is the longest active skid in the NFL.

New York thought it had its quarterback for the next 10 or 15 years when it traded up and drafted Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in 2018. That dream faded just three years later when the Jets dealt him to the Panthers. It also cleared the way for New York to take Wilson, who’s the latest to be anointed the next — maybe, possibly, hopefully — Namath.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Zach,” Namath said. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting and talking with him.”

Namath is pumped up by new coach Robert Saleh’s energy and passion. He believes that has gone a long way toward changing the mood around the franchise from downtrodden to positive.

Saleh played at Northern Michigan University from 1997-2000 and most recently was defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

“Joe Douglas has put something together, I really believe that,” Namath said. “We have a lot of optimism now. And I say ‘we’ because I am a fan, too. I’m one of them, one of the many that have endured some losing seasons. But, yes, man, we have reason to be really optimistic.”