New York Jets Handling of QB Position Has Been Masterful
By Erik Lambert
It’s not exactly clear if New York Jets GM Mike Maccagnan went back to school on handling quarterbacks this offseason, but he learned lessons.
Prior to this spring, the Jets were in a serious funk when it came to the quarterback position on their roster. They’d tried to make due with older veterans like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown but the success, if and when it came, was always shortlived. At the same time, they were hoping to score a potential hidden gem in the draft, first with Bryce Petty in 2015 and then with Christian Hackenberg in 2016. Neither developed into anything special.
Coming into this year the Jets needed to change things up and Maccagnan ended up executing what looks like the best QB acquisitions of any team in the league. Most will pinpoint their drafting of Sam Darnold, and with good reason. The USC standout is a supreme talent. Many believe he should’ve been the first name off the board in April. New York made that good fortune possible with their aggressive trade up from #6 overall to #3.
However, that may not have been their savviest move at the position. Some think instead it was their overlooked signing of former Pro Bowler Teddy Bridgewater in free agency.
It is just amazing that none of the QB needy teams signed Bridgewater as a 2 who could compete to be a 1. Huge missed opportunity. A number of teams that will regret that. I’m told he has looked outstanding. This will be a different version of Dion Lewis if he stays healthy.
— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) May 27, 2018
Bridgewater move gives Jets multitude of options this year
The value of that signing can’t be understated. Bridgewater should finally be recovered from his disastrous knee injury suffered two years ago. So if he’s nearing his old form the Jets have a potential Pro Bowler who can start in 2018, giving them the luxury of sitting Darnold for a year as he learns their system. At worst he makes for a young and talented backup who can be an instant contributor if at any point Darnold struggles or gets injured. There is little downside to the move.
Then there’s the other part of the equation. Could Bridgewater be a valuable trade chip? Remember he’s not even in his late 20s yet. There are plenty of years ahead of him if that knee is sound. The Jets, by acting swiftly may have secured a potential gold mine on the trade market for what amounts to a $6 million one-year contract. That is the football epitome of buying low and selling high.
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Don’t be surprised if a few years from now these two key moves end up being the catalyst for a Jets rebirth in the AFC.