FLORHAM PARK -- His answers are usually cliche, like a politician's. In the spotlight as long as he can remember, Christian Hackenberg has mastered the ability to speak for minutes, but say very little.

In his year-plus with the Jets, just one question has cracked the 22-year-old quarterback's PR-friendly approach. Ask him if he believes he can play in the NFL -- as many have -- and before you finish, he'll brush it off and move on.

Christian Hackenberg's confidence in Christian Hackenberg is unwavering. There's isn't any doubt in his mind.

"I know I can play," Hackenberg told NJ Advance Media. "I was drafted where I was for a reason. I've been able to do the things I've done for a reason. I know there's talent inside me."

Hackenberg is arguably the most polarizing player in the Jets locker room, and a regular target for criticism and scrutiny. It comes with the territory. When you're a second-round pick, and third-string on the depth chart a year after getting drafted, people will poke and prod.

Which is fine, Hackenberg said. He understands it, but doesn't listen. He used to let it get to him, but he muted those voices his junior year at Penn State. He now surrounds himself with people who he knows have his best interests at heart. He listens to them, and tunes the rest out. There's no point in getting himself worked up over things he can't control.

"People like to get caught up in this 'win now' mode: 'Why am I not doing this now?'" Hackenberg said. "I think that's the wrong way to go about it, especially if you're a player. It's just going to be really negative.

"You just need to focus on yourself. Everyone's path is different. I want to get better. It's not like I'm just chilling here. I'm working. I firmly believe that will pay off."

While it may not be enough to scare away the pessimists or unseat Josh McCown as the Jets' starter, Hackenberg showed signs of improvement in training camp and the preseason. His technique and footwork are night-and-day from last year, and he has a better understanding of when to take chances and pull back.

He started two of the Jets' four preseason games, and played in each. He completed 56.4 percent of his passes, threw for 372 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and had a 68.4 quarterback rating. There were signs of good, and noticeable areas that still need work. Overall, the Jets were pleased with his development.

"As a young quarterback in the National Football League, I don't think you just sign your contract and automatically become Peyton Manning," quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates said before the season. "There are going to be bumps in the road. The great ones have to come back and watch the tape and learn from both the positive and negative experiences and grow from that. As long as a young quarterback is continuing to grow and get better, then you can coach that."

And unlike last year, Hackenberg has a chance to improve during the season.

The Jets kept four quarterbacks on their 2016 depth chart. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty were ahead of Hackenberg. Reps, once the regular season began, were few and far between for the then fourth-string passer. Hackenberg paid attention in meetings, but didn't receive much hands-on coaching. He seldom spoke to offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, he said.

This year is different. Hackenberg regularly talks and works with offensive coordinator John Morton and Bates. In practice, he and Petty split scout reps.

"It's more intimate," Hackenberg said. "That wasn't the case for me last year."

Hackenberg has been active for just two of 19 possible games since the Jets drafted him. With Petty the backup for the "foreseeable future," according to coach Todd Bowles, it's unclear when Hackenberg will get a chance to play.

But at some point this year, he should. If the Jets are as bad as many expect, they need to see what they have in Hackenberg before they invest in a high-profile quarterback like USC's Sam Darnold or UCLA's Josh Rosen in the 2018 draft.

Hackenberg isn't thinking about that, though. His focus is on the now. If he gets a chance to start, he'll attack it.

"No one just instantly shoots to the top," Hackenberg said. "That's the biggest thing for me: This is all a process. Along the way you'll take your lumps, you'll take your criticisms. It is what it is.

"But I know what I can do. I'm excited for this journey. That's the thing that keeps me going every day: The knowledge and confidence that I know I can play."

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.