New York Jets Will Let Quarterbacks Compete for Starting Role
Most football fans probably thought Josh McCown was a lock to start at quarterback when he joined the New York Jets last week, but he's going to have to fight for the job.
McCown might be the quarterback with the most experience on the roster, but Jets head coach Todd Bowles told reporters at the annual league meeting that nobody has been promised the starting job and it's up for grabs. This means Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty would get the chance to compete for the role as well.
"Well there's going to be a competition. Josh is coming in, Hack is coming back and we'll see where Bryce is with his health. Hack will get a chance to prove himself this year and Josh will get a chance to prove himself, so we're looking forward to it. And if we decide to add one, we'll add one to the mix there whether it's the draft or a free agent," Bowles said, via the team's official website.
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"But we're going to have an open competition and the guy who will earn that spot will truly earn it," he continued.
The Jets' quarterback corps is not exactly one of the best in the league. McCown is going to be 38 in July, Petty is coming off surgery, and Hackenberg is their fourth-string quarterback last season.
The Jets do have the sixth overall pick in the draft and Bowles said they would consider using it to select a quarterback. The team has scheduled a private workout with North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, and they have already met with Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer and Clemson's Deshaun Watson.
The Jets sure like drafting quarterbacks. They have picked a signal caller in every draft since 2013. They haven't selected a quarterback in the first round since 2009 (Mark Sanchez), but that may change this year.
