How The New York Jets Need to Address Quarterback in the 2018 Offseason

The four likely scenarios for Gang Green

The most important position in the game and the Jets have lacked a bona fide starter for years. The current roster is thin. The Christian Hackenberg experiment was a complete bust, Bryce Petty’s ceiling is a backup at best and Josh McCown is a 38-year old journeymen.

To keep their jobs beyond the 2018 season, Head Coach Todd Bowles and General Manager Mike Maccagnan need to hit on a franchise quarterback this offseason in free agency or the draft.

Scenario 1: Sign Kirk Cousins

The Redskin signal caller is expected to test the waters and the New York Jets would be crazy not to entertain the free agent. With Washington, Kirk Cousins has thrown 99 touchdowns to 55 interceptions with a 93.7% rating (tenth in the NFL since he entered the league in 2012). He has repeatedly been a borderline top ten QB — something the Jets have lacked for decades.

At 29, Kirk Cousins would give the Jets a shorter window than a rookie quarterback but they shouldn’t let that dissuade them. Bowles and Maccagnan are on the hot seat and they know what they’ll get out of Kirk Cousins. They may not have the luxury to wait out a rookie quarterback’s growing pains.

Kirk Cousins will likely demand the largest contract in NFL history and if the Jets hope to go that route, they’ll have the money — their expected $100 million in cap space will be near the top in the league.

Kirk Cousins in a game against the Giants (AP Images)

Scenario 2: Draft a Rookie Early in the Draft

At the sixth pick, the Jets are at an awkward position. It’s entirely possible as many as four quarterbacks go in the top five or as few as just two. If Kirk Cousin’s signs elsewhere by the time the draft rolls around, the Jets could trade up (they have a full slate of picks plus the Seahawks’ second) and snag their guy in Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield. Staying put could be dangerous, as teams such as the Buffalo Bills or Arizona Cardinals could attempt to leapfrog Gang Green. At the sixth, it’s possible Mayfield is still on the board (and the Jets should absolutely grab him), but the choice could be between Lamar Jackson (yes) or Josh Allen (no).

Regardless of whom the Jets draft, they should consider bringing back Josh McCown. Not only is a veteran presence important to any young quarterback room, but the Jets’ pick should not be handed the job out of camp. McCown is familiar with the coaches, playbook and receivers.

Scenario 3: Sign a FA Not Named Kirk and Draft Another Outside the First

Although not the ideal situation, it could potentially pay off as the team wouldn’t have to trade away any draft picks, could save some cap space and fill a different hole in the first round (see: RB, EDGE, DB).

One or two Minnesota quarterbacks could hit free agency (Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum or Sam Bradford), as could Kansas City’s Alex Smith and Miami’s Matt Moore. All of these quarterbacks come with issues — be it health or consistency — but Teddy Bridgewater stands out with the highest ceiling.

Should the Jets sign one of these quarterbacks, they should add a rookie outside of the first. Missouri’s Drew Lock, Washington State’s Luke Falk or Memphis’ Riley Ferguson could be found in the second or third. In a perfect world, one of them will impress coaches in the preseason and take over by week four.

Scenario 4: Start Petty or Hackenberg

Just don’t do it.