NFL: New York Jets appear to be tanking for a quarterback

Have the Jets taken a page out of the 76ers playbook and decided tank?

Years of butt fumbles and losing may have finally pushed the New York Jets over the edge. After releasing veteran linebacker David Harris Tuesday the team will reportedly move on from wide receiver Eric Decker.

Both moves seem to be ill-thought and the workings of a front office with no clear plan in place to win.

Perhaps that’s the goal.

Let’s take a look at the Jets roster on OurLads, who still have Decker listed as his release has not been made official by the team.

Personally, I’ve felt the Jets had a strong draft night by getting two starting safeties, a reliable tight end, and some wide receivers with potential upside.

I was especially comfortable with them not taking a quarterback and, instead, going into 2017 with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty prepared to battle for a job in camp.

More from NFL Hot Takes

• 4 promising first-round receivers to watch in NFL preseason Week 3
• Should Trey Lance be considered an NFL draft bust?
• Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: 3 most alluring fits for Colts star running back
• Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson might be the RB1 in Fantasy Football
• The rise of C.J. Stroud; No. 2 overall pick ready to lead Texans?

But what the Jets are now doing by moving on from veterans such as Harris and Decker is allowing their young players to prove themselves since the team knows they have no chance of winning anyway.

But at the same time, they could have at least attempted to trade either for even a conditional draft pick or gone the route of the Browns and taken a bad contract in exchange for one of the veterans.

It also signals the desire to have a very high draft pick in next years class where a quarterback is expected to go number one overall. If the Jets don’t see dramatic improvement from Hackenberg or Petty they’ll be in the prime striking position to draft from an assortment of passers.

Those potential quarterback prospects include USC’s Sam Darnold, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.

If a young quarterback already on the Jets roster does prove to be a quality starter who can take the team to a winning level, then the best player available is in the Jets future.

Next: Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

Regardless of whichever direction the Jets feel they are finally going, it’s safe to say it’ll be a long year for half the fans in East Rutherford this season.