With the selection of Sam Darnold at No. 3 in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Jets brought their quarterback room to five. The USC product joined Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Newsday’s Calvin Watkins, however, notes that number is expected to shrink by the time the team heads to training camp in July.
The two obvious candidates to be moved or released are Petty and Hackenberg. The former has failed to impress in seven starts, and the latter, despite having a cannon for an arm, has yet to make an appearance in his first two seasons.
Even if one of the two make it to training camp, another move is likely to come as keeping four quarterbacks would handicap the team at other positions. In addition to Darnold, it would be hard to see the veteran McCown not making the squad. The journeyman is viewed as invaluable in the locker room and is the perfect candidate to help the young Darnold learn the ropes of the NFL.
Bridgewater, however, is no lock to make the roster. As Watkins notes, the former Vikings signal-caller receives a $5MM base salary if he makes the team. If not, the Jets are only out the $500,000 signing bonus. If he proves he is back to his pre-injury form, New York will have a steal. If not, the team can cut bait with minimal salary implications.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Broncos did not endure a turnover in the scouting department following this weekend’s draft, 9 News’ Mike Klis tweets. In the wake of the annual draft, it is not uncommon for teams to part ways with scouts and personnel department. Team president John Elway, however, decided to bring everyone back.
- The Chiefs hired Eagles assistant director of college scouting Michael Bradway to an undisclosed position, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia tweets. Mosher notes Bradway, who was with the Eagles for seven seasons, joins back up with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, who also spent time in Philadelphia.
- The Giants attempted to trade into the back end of the second round to select Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz writes. Though a deal did not form, New York was still able to pluck the speedy edge rusher when he fell to their third-round pick (No. 66). “What you have to appreciate is his unseen production. If he is flying off the edge, he is creating pressure. Sometimes you are looking at guys that create plays for others.,” general manager Dave Gettleman said.
- The Eagles drafted their fewest players since 1989 when it emerged from the draft with only five selections. That is not a spot the team wants to be in again, general manager Howie Roseman told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Les Bowen. “I think it’s a hard first couple of days for people who put a lot of time and effort into the process, and you see that,” Roseman said. “The last two days, it’s hard. A lot of guys get off the board, so we don’t want to do that again. I think that’s the first takeaway.”
- Vikings center Pat Elflein is doing “part work” in spring drills but is not going to be ready for OTAs, the player told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Elflein suffered a fractured left ankle in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 21 and underwent surgery the following week. “We’re just not rushing it. I’m just trying to get myself back in shape and get strong and be ready to go.,” Elflein said.
Why do they let go of scouts after the draft?
Not entirely sure. Maybe its because they realized they sucked or maybe thats just when there contract is up. But i dunno
because if they let them go before the draft, they lose all the scouting reports they had gotten throughout the season
The draft is a year round process for scouts, so firing them after the draft is equivalent to firing a coach after the season.
Jets need to keep 3 qb’s, I’d drop Bridgewater and Hackenburg
You would think thats the way to go, but McCown and Bridgewater are both on one year deals. There is no guarantee that either one of them can return to the Jets leaving the Jets with only one QB after the season is over. If they find a way to keep Hackenberg, they can at least guarantee themselves two QBs by the end of the season. I have an ill feeling that because of this, if Bridgewater is healthy, theyll cut McCown. Im not sure that would be the best move either given Bridgewater’s injury history and the value of McCowns mentorship may make it worth keeping McCown.
The decision for the Jets will be very easy if Bridgewater cant play. They would probably just cut him and Petty and then have McCown, Darnold, and Hackenberg left on the roster.
Teddy B got into game action towards the end of the season and wouldn’t have passed the physical required for his contract to be signed if he wasn’t healthy. Seeing as how he only signed a 1 year deal he had to have passed a physical. No way they agree to a 1 year deal that doesn’t promise some health. Teddy is on a 1 year prove it deal. Means nothing to the Jets. He makes the team or doesn’t. Makes his money on the team pushing the #1, or makes a few bucks in obscurity.
Is Hackenburg that bad? I mean you draft him in 2nd round and don’t even give him a chance?
The Jets have whiffed on 2nd round picks for a while now… while Marcus Maye remains to be seen, the Jets last 2nd rounders of the past 10 years are Christian Hackenberg, Devin Smith, Jace Amaro, Geno Smith, Stephen Hill, and Vlad Ducasse. And the last time the Jets landed a useful individual with their 2nd round pick was David Harris in 2007.
Now, as bad a rep as the Jets get, they’re about average when it comes to drafting. But as far as the second round goes, they do best when they trade it. And they view 2nd rounders as expendable. So, yes, Hackenberg will probably be kicked to the curb without so much as a pass attempt as a Jet.
Mccown and Darnold are my two locks to make the team. They want Mccown at the minimum to be a mentor for Darnold and he can be the starter out of camp or he can go back to clipboard mode as he has done both and done it well. Bridgewater Petty and Hackenburg are on the bubble.
Bridgewater makes it only if he shows he is healthy enough to play, Petty/Hackenburg makes it if Bridgewater doesnt. But my bet is Petty gets traded and to be a backup else where, maybe Dallas for a conditional/low end pick since the only other QB is an undrafted guy and might want to have someone with experience just in case.
I think Bridgewater should be kept as the back up to McCown and Darnold should be relegated to 3rd string duties. Bridgewater would be a good guy to talk to, he’s been a starter and a 1st round pick, and it’s best that Darnold just spend a season getting used to his new life and new job. Jets fans won’t like it, but more successful QBs often don’t see much (if any) field time their rookie seasons.
I agree with that completely. I should have been more clear that those 2 are guaranteed the spots not necessarily who would be the starter and backup. Short of Darnold blowing everyone out of the water, i think he should be red shirted this season With Mccown as starter with one of the other 3 as backup or if bridgewater outshines mccown him as starter. At this point i cant see petty or hackenberg being outright starter unless they really turn a corner in the offseason. .
If McCown and Bridgewater go down to injuries in the pre-season… and Darnold shows he’s not ready to go out the gate… Hackenberg would probably end up starting. It’s plausible, but not probable.
I am going to disagree on Bridgewater, this guy has a cannon of an arm and very accurate. Personally if he can stay healthy he will start and Jets can be exciting