The Jets have agreed to one-year contracts with both quarterbacks Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. What a mess! The team that couldn't shoot straight, and lost out on Kirk Cousins has rolled the dice on a 39-year journeyman quarterback in McCown, and a once promising quarterback who's career came to a halt two years ago when he suffered a devastating knee injury.
Most of the time, signing two starting quarterbacks means that a team has really no clear direction at the quarterback position; and that is exactly where they Jets are. They are twisting in the wind wondering where the wind is going to blow.The Jets will likely draft a quarterback in next month's draft -- perhaps in the first round, but with both McCown and Bridgewater on the roster it is hard to imagine a scenario where that young player gets any playing time. And if we know anything about Todd Bowles, he doesn't like playing young quarterbacks, i.e. Christian Hackenberg.
Bridgewater, who hasn't started a game since 2015 is getting paid $15 million for one year to play for the Jets. His signing is the wild card. Are the Jets saying that they will have a quarterback competition between Bridgewater and McCown? If so, when and how will a rookie get an opportunity with two veteran quarterbacks in camp and on the roster?
There is always the possibility that a rookie could outplay both McCown and Bridgewater, but that is unlikely.
There is also a scenario where the Jets could avoid drafting a quarterback in the first round, settling instead to fill other positions of need, which will likely send Jets fans into a total panic.
In more ways than one, Mike Maccagnan's signing of both McCown and Bridgewater leaves everyone scratching their heads. But it's the Jets after all, so what else is new?
In other moves, the Jets signed former Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell to a three-year deal in another bizarre move by Maccagnan. While the Jets have to address the running position, addressing it with a three-year deal for Crowell who has underwhelmed his entire career just doesn't make any sense.
After four seasons in Cleveland, Crowell has yet to rush for 1000 yards in a season. To say that the Jets solved their backfield issues with this signing is ludicrous. Crowell marks yet another season where the Jets turn to a underachieving veteran at the running back position. A few years ago it was Chris Ivory. Two years ago it was Matt Forte. Now it is Crowell. Will they ever learn?
The Jets may have addressed their problem at center, although if they can upgrade in the draft, they should. Spencer Long, formally of the Redskins, agreed to a deal with New York this week. He can play both center and guard, although there are concerns. He had a chance to be the Redskins starting guard in 2014, but lost out on the starting job. Two seasons ago he became the team's center and served in that role until last season, when he suffered a season ending knee injury in November. Long could be a nice surprise, but we'll have to see.
The best signing by far for the Jets was brining in former Ram cornerback Trumaine Johnson. At 28, Johnson has developed a true ball-hawking style of play with 18 picks in his career and three returns for touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, he gives the Jets a tall, physical corner, something Todd Bowles team desperately needs.
Meanwhile, the Jets replaced DeMario Davis with for Titan Avery Williams -- a tough-nosed middle linebacker who has racked up over 90-plus tackles in each of the past three seasons. At 26-years old, Williams could be a nice steal for the Jets this season.
Other moves: signed cornerback Morris Claiborne; safety Terrance Brooks; offensive lineman Ben Ijalana and kicker Cairo Santos.
GRADE: C. The Jets answered needs on defense with Williams and Johnson, but left too many questions regarding their offense. Signing two veteran journeyman quarterbacks is not the answer, and they still can't find ways to get legitimate help at running back and offensive line.
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