FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Seven months after drafting Christian Hackenberg, the New York Jets still don't know what to make of him. They think he might be a good quarterback some day, but they're not sure. He's a mystery.

"I don't like that word," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said Thursday. "I think he's a developmental player at this point. There's a lot of talent there. The sky's the limit. We don't know yet."

The Jets preached patience after they drafted QB Christian Hackenberg, and they've followed through, giving him a virtual redshirt season in which he has seen no game action. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

And they won't know by the end of the season.

The Jets have no plans to play Hackenberg over the final five games. If they replace Ryan Fitzpatrick at some point, they'll go to Bryce Petty, the first man up on the audition card. Coach Todd Bowles said at the start of the season this would be a redshirt year for Hackenberg, and they apparently will follow through on that.

As you probably noticed, the current regime believes in patience when developing quarterbacks. Petty sat for a year ... and is still sitting, waiting for his shot.

"It almost takes a season for you to find out exactly who a guy is and what he is, and where he needs to go, especially when a guy is not playing in games," Gailey said. "It takes you that long to work with them and evaluate them."

The offseason will be crucial for Hackenberg, who will spend a lot of time working on his mechanics. The problem is, under the restrictive collective bargaining agreement, he won't be allowed to work with the coaches until April. Right now, he takes scout-team reps in practice, running the opposing team's plays and often throwing to predetermined targets.

"It's hard to evaluate guys on the practice squad," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said, but noting that Hackenberg's "leadership skill is off the charts."

Technically, Hackenberg isn't on the practice squad, but close. He's the 53rd man on the 53-man roster, trying to absorb as much as he can in the background.

"He’s learning every day about when to throw the ball, how to throw the ball," Gailey said. "Up here it’s different than it is in college. He’s learning a great deal. It’s hard to say specifically, but he’s gotten better. To me, he’s gotten better every week. He understands the game better. He understands the defenses better. He understands protections better. That’s all a part of the growth process."