It's pretty obvious (to me) that looking ahead (2019, 2020, 2021) Sam Darnold will be our starter and Christian Hackenberg will be our #2. Teams hate distractions, and no distraction is bigger than having a QB controversy. Having a #2 QB that's as good (if not better) than a struggling #1 kills a locker room and kills a team (and can get GM's fired). The perfect BUQB for teams like Giants (Manning) or NE (Brady) or Pitt (Roethlisberger) is a young future franchise QB who can learn for a few years then take over. Like what NE did with Jimmy Garappolo, except Brady refused to exit stage right. The perfect BUQB for a team like the Jets who already HAVE their young franchise QB under center is someone like Hackenberg. He's never going to make waves and demand a trade. Fans are not likely to boooo Darnold in favor of Hack. Hackenberg is home grown, and he's about the same size and shape at Darnold. We won't need two game plans, one for Darnold and one for some 5'-11" scrambler. Hack only needs to be marginally good. If he's 60% as good as Darnold (after another training camp or 2) he'd be perfect. And as the official backup behind Darnold, Hack would get TONS more reps every week. Hackenberg is a young, homegrown back up QB who knows the team and playbook inside and out, will never be a distraction, will never demand a trade, and might even keep getting better, etc. Darnold could have a decent BUQB for the next 10 yrs.
There is definitely a case for him to be on the roster at the moment. Let him compete with McCown and Bridgewater for a roster spot. It would be amazing if he outplays them. If he does not: then you cut him after Training Camp. I wouldn't carry more than 3 QB's and I feel McCown and Darnold are locks, so could be Teddy vs Hack for a spot.
The fact that Hack couldn't even get snaps week 17 of the 2017 season speaks volumes to me. Granted he's young and cheap, but is he competent? Like, at all?
Here’s how I’m tackling the Jets qb position: If Bridgewater proves to be healthy/performs well, I’d trade him in preseason. If he is unhealthy he gets released/cut. Let Darnold start, have Mccown as #2 back and sign the other rookie Qb they had at mini-camp, Wolford to compete with Hack for #3/PS. From what I’ve heard, he very much hung with Darnold throwing the ball + good college qb. In the end: 1. Darnold 2. Mccown 3. Wolford + we get a draft pick for Bridgewater.
He’s only 19 and I don’t know if you know this, he was the greatest HS QB in the history of HS QBs seven years ago. Give him another few years.
the fuck does being a great high school QB have to do with the NFL? He's also 23, not 19. edit: derp - i see I missed sarcasm here
It makes the most sense to cut McCown. he counts too much against the cap. Play Bridgewater and have Darnold and Hackenberg 2&3. Kepping 4 QB when you could have an able bodied backup to help at other positions.
Really appreciate op effort. Inane at first glance, but interesting arguments. 2 things. Hack’s incompetence is hard to sugar coat. Why not have a dude who can HELP Darnold behind him?
There is no case for keeping Hack. Hack makes Ryan Leaf look like Joe Montana. I have no idea why anybody would try to make a case for this stiff. This is embarrassing.
You understand McCown has a fully guaranteed $10 million contract, right? His $10 million cap hit is already baked in whether we keep him or cut him. There would be no cap savings if we cut him.
I would sit him all year. Let Darnold start. McCown would just be a 10 million dollar, one year QB whisperer.
Goddamn it, everyone always beats me to the finish line. One of these days this tortoise is gonna triumph over the hare.
