Could the Jets be headed for a quarterback controversy?

[gmf1369]

That's a loaded question, to be sure, but it can't be overlooked. Incumbent Josh McCown, widely respected in the locker room, will be replaced at some point. It's inevitable. How that switch is handled -- the timing, the circumstances, etc. -- will be critical.

The Jets have two things working in their favor: McCown is the ultimate team guy and won't make a stink. Coach Todd Bowles doesn't have a quick hook. If anything, his hook is too slow. Remember, he was prepared to go the distance last season with McCown over his young quarterbacks even though the team was hopelessly out of playoff contention. He turned to Bryce Petty only after McCown's season-ending hand injury.

This is a different deal because Darnold, drafted third overall, must play -- and will play. The best-case scenario is for Darnold to show everyone -- even the McCown supporters -- he's the best quarterback on the team. That would make for a seamless transition. Otherwise, it could get a bit bumpy, especially if Teddy Bridgewater (can't forget about him) makes a run for the job.

So what do you think?

 

[SackExchange]

I really don't think it's a controversy. The job is McCown's until Darnold proves himself ready, whether it's preseason, Week 1, or Week 15.

 

[Gramoah]

I really don't think it's a controversy. The job is McCown's until Darnold proves himself ready, whether it's preseason, Week 1, or Week 15.

Got to agree here. McCown took the job knowing full well that he was the interim QB and obviously was good with that. The only sticky issue I see is if Teddy turns out to be really capable of taking the starting position. In that case their might be a tough decision for Bowles when the season begins.

 

[SackExchange]

Got to agree here. McCown took the job knowing full well that he was the interim QB and obviously was good with that. The only sticky issue I see is if Teddy turns out to be really capable of taking the starting position. In that case their might be a tough decision for Bowles when the season begins.

I think if Teddy is both healthy and showing flashes of his former self, Mac will sell him while his value is high.

 

[mydogisajetsfan]

Baring some unusual circumstances, Teddy won't be on the team come September 1. The best thing Bowles could do is to play McCown one series in preseason and then hand him the clipboard. I would then let Darnold and Hack alternate through the first three quarters of the preseason and then let Teddy show us he's ready. We don't need to see if he can read defenses or check down when necessary. We just need to see if he is physically ready. Playing behind third and fourth string lineman, he'll have to run and he'll get hit. Playing the last quarter of each preseason game will do just that. If he's healthy, he's traded. If not, he's cut.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Its Darnold's team when he is ready. I don't even care if that means we bench a winning QB. Darnold is the only hope this franchise has had at QB in a half a century.

 

[butterscotch]

I guess I am the only one again but a healthy "teddy" is my choice as of today. I say we have two choices at a franchise qb. if not I hope AZ picks him up

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

I guess I am the only one again but a healthy "teddy" is my choice as of today. I say we have two choices at a franchise qb. if not I hope AZ picks him up

I’m not writing off Bridgewater, either. There seems to be this assumption that he won’t make it, which doesn’t make sense to me. Players recover from these injuries. And he looked like a pretty good QB with the Vikings prior to that injury.

If Teddy plays well and wins the QB1 comp, it’s a win-win. The Jets have a QB for 2018 who can eventually be traded for a decent draft pick. And Darnold can be the undisputed starter in 2019.

 

[butterscotch]

I’m not writing off Bridgewater, either. There seems to be this assumption that he won’t make it, which doesn’t make sense to me. Players recover from these injuries. And he looked like a pretty good QB with the Vikings prior to that injury.

If Teddy plays well and wins the QB1 comp, it’s a win-win. The Jets have a QB for 2018 who can eventually be traded for a decent draft pick. And Darnold can be the undisputed starter in 2019.

But what happens if Teddy becomes a great qb still that chance......anyway I like our odds

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

But what happens if Teddy becomes a great qb still that chance......anyway I like our odds

Like they say, it’s a good problem to have.

 

[jets82]

Baring some unusual circumstances, Teddy won't be on the team come September 1. The best thing Bowles could do is to play McCown one series in preseason and then hand him the clipboard. I would then let Darnold and Hack alternate through the first three quarters of the preseason and then let Teddy show us he's ready. We don't need to see if he can read defenses or check down when necessary. We just need to see if he is physically ready. Playing behind third and fourth string lineman, he'll have to run and he'll get hit. Playing the last quarter of each preseason game will do just that. If he's healthy, he's traded. If not, he's cut.

I can go with this. McCown is just a place holder. Whether that’s for the OTAs and training camp, or game 1, 5, or 16. So no controversy there. They traded up to draft Darnold and took him at number 3. So they have to believe he is the future. If and when he proves so, the job is his without hesitation. Bridgewater was an excellent or on his way to becoming an excellent QB but I don’t think has some of the attributes that Darnold has. If Bridgewater comes back healthy, he has the smarts of a excellent QB, mobility as well, pretty accurate and appears to be a team player. I’m guessing by the way the team (Vikings) rallied around him, he was/is a great leader also.

The one thing Bridgewater doesn’t have that Darnold appears to have is the arm strength. Darnold appears to have all the attributes and probably abit better then Bridgewater has but the arm strength will make the difference. Also Darnold’s ability to be as accurate on the run might be a tad bit better then Bridgewater. Keep in mind, this is only if Bridgewater comes back completely healthy that this will be a competition anyway. If Bridgewater is totaly healthy I do agree that they will trade him. As long as Darnold is coming along as expected, if not Bridgewater will play. If Bridgewater isn’t healthy they probably will cut him, as long a Hack is showing some signs of life.

 

[Gramoah]

I think if Teddy is both healthy and showing flashes of his former self, Mac will sell him while his value is high.

This is the decision I was alluding to but in order for the Jets to trade him it will be necessary to prove that he has reached that point again which is difficult without him having playing time. They might also opt to keep him as Darnold's back up with McCown being gone next season. Either way he has to have the opportunity to prove his worth in game play, not just camp and practices, to prove that worth, for either of these things to transpire. Nobody in their right mind would bet on a race horse that they haven't seen run, except the Jets, of course.

 

[butterscotch]

I love a strong arm but look at namath & Len Dawson both won a sb one with a great arm one with a good arm. Let's make sure we don't put a crown on the d man. Keep both until we are sure

 

[NewMFS62]

Its not a controversy until Bowles plays a quarterback who is playing worse than the one(s) on the bench could.
Later

 

[cheaterhater]

I guess I am the only one again but a healthy "teddy" is my choice as of today. I say we have two choices at a franchise qb. if not I hope AZ picks him up

I'm with you. I think Bridgewater has a good chance at winning the #1 spot in the preseason. He actually should win it. I don't know much about Teddy ,but i think he was a scrambler and those guys don't stick around all season, so it may be better if Darnold somehow wins out. At 20, that will be tough.

Not sure I agree with Sack that if teddy wins the job he's traded. Why trade your best Qb?

 

[cheaterhater]

Baring some unusual circumstances, Teddy won't be on the team come September 1. The best thing Bowles could do is to play McCown one series in preseason and then hand him the clipboard. I would then let Darnold and Hack alternate through the first three quarters of the preseason and then let Teddy show us he's ready. We don't need to see if he can read defenses or check down when necessary. We just need to see if he is physically ready. Playing behind third and fourth string lineman, he'll have to run and he'll get hit. Playing the last quarter of each preseason game will do just that. If he's healthy, he's traded. If not, he's cut.

Playing behind our starting oline, he's going to get hit too. Behind our 3rd and 4th string , he might get killed

 

[jets82]

I'm with you. I think Bridgewater has a good chance at winning the #1 spot in the preseason. He actually should win it. I don't know much about Teddy ,but i think he was a scrambler and those guys don't stick around all season, so it may be better if Darnold somehow wins out. At 20, that will be tough.

Not sure I agree with Sack that if teddy wins the job he's traded. Why trade your best Qb?

Why would you guys want him to win? Or are you saying Bridgewater just has the best chance to win? If Teddy is the best QB then so be it, okay play him and let Darnold learn from him. But we drafted Darnold and Bridgewater is only 25-26 I believe. If Bridgewater is healthy and playing well, he will want to be the QB and not just a place holder. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with healthy competition. Throw all three in the mix and may the best man win. I believe if Darnold comes along as along he will legitimately win the job. If he doesn’t then he will be ready by next year, if not before.

 

[cheaterhater]

Why would you guys want him to win? Or are you saying Bridgewater just has the best chance to win? If Teddy is the best QB then so be it, okay play him and let Darnold learn from him. But we drafted Darnold and Bridgewater is only 25-26 I believe. If Bridgewater is healthy and playing well, he will want to be the QB and not just a place holder. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with healthy competition. Throw all three in the mix and may the best man win. I believe if Darnold comes along as along he will legitimately win the job. If he doesn’t then he will be ready by next year, if not before.

Personally, I just think Bridgewater should win out based on experience and that he was pretty good on an ok team. I'd rather Darnold wins and becomes the greatest QB ever and sticks around for 20 years. I don't claim to know anything but Tom what of read and based on his age of 20, I'll be surprised if he's ready this year. That said, he seems like a smart kid and if he hits the books hard, who knows?

 

[isired]

This is the decision I was alluding to but in order for the Jets to trade him it will be necessary to prove that he has reached that point again which is difficult without him having playing time. They might also opt to keep him as Darnold's back up with McCown being gone next season. Either way he has to have the opportunity to prove his worth in game play, not just camp and practices, to prove that worth, for either of these things to transpire. Nobody in their right mind would bet on a race horse that they haven't seen run, except the Jets, of course.

I think with Teddy it's more about his physical condition. He was always highly regarded for his football IQ and knowledge of the playbook. Nobody's going to think he forgot how to read defenses or spin the ball. He was never a dual-threat guy, so he just needs to show that he can physically do what your average QB is asked to do on that knee.

 

[Gramoah]

I think with Teddy it's more about his physical condition. He was always highly regarded for his football IQ and knowledge of the playbook. Nobody's going to think he forgot how to read defenses or spin the ball. He was never a dual-threat guy, so he just needs to show that he can physically do what your average QB is asked to do on that knee.

While being rushed by a good teams entire offensive line...............................................................