Jets’ Jordan Travis a low-risk gamble with jackpot rewards as Aaron Rodgers' successor

The New York Jets took a gamble in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft that could lead to the team hitting the jackpot when it comes to a quarterback of the future. 

With the selection of Florida State’s Jordan Travis, who had his college career cut short due to a broken leg, the Jets land a player who will have an opportunity to learn behind Aaron Rodgers while he fully makes his way back from that injury, an injury he is still rehabbing from with organized team activities ahead.

“I feel great. Just focusing on today,” the Jets fifth round pick said during a news conference on Saturday.  “Every day I got rehab I’m just giving my best.  I’m just trying to get ready as fast as possible.  Obviously, that’s the goal, but obviously I want to be 100 percent too.  Yeah, just trying to get 100 percent, getting better every day.”

Projected as the No. 3 QB behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, the Florida State product has some time to get back to full strength, which is why the Jets selecting him is a great situation.  Prior to the injury, Travis was on route to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, Travis had FSU’s offense rolling.  He threw for 2,756 yards with 20 touchdowns prior to the injury and the team losing him ended the team’s National Championship hopes.  That is just how important he was.

New York Jets take a low-risk gamble on Jordan Travis

Can Jordan Travis bounce back from the injury and recapture that success on the NFL level?

He’ll have to take a different journey, but his commitment to the game and learning from a QB like Rodgers, and possibly taking over for him adds motivation to his comeback.

“I do think about that a lot,” Travis said when asked about taking over for Rodgers.  “But right now I’m just focused where my feet are.  Just getting healthy and getting everybody around me better.  Being a great teammate.”

During his football career thus far, Travis has shined with resilience in the face of adversity.  With this being his latest challenge, the Jets rookie QB has the arm talent to be an NFL starting QB, but how strong he recovers from the leg will determine how much of that scrambling ability he can mix in.  That is where footwork and manipulating the pocket will help him still be effective even if that mobility is not as strong as it was.

Both are areas Rodgers and Taylor will be great teachers as both have had success climbing the pocket and making throws.  When it comes to injuries (although not as gruesome) both veteran quarterbacks have also faced challenges with injuries.  Again, a great spot for Travis to pick each QB’s brain and just watch how they approach the game physically and mentally.

In all, Travis’ goal is to take over for Rodgers like another young quarterback named Jordan…Jordan Love.  That hard work, commitment and dedication will play a huge role.  Wouldn’t it be ironic that the New York Jets find a QB in the mid-to-late round of the draft after their last two high draft picks (Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson) failed as franchise quarterbacks?