New York Jets: Breaking down quarterback rumors

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Apr 4, 2015

The New York Jets have created quite the news about what their true intentions could be at the 2015 NFL Draft. As per ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles hinted at the possibility of adding more quarterbacks into the mix on a conference call with season ticket-holders. Of course this could be one big smokescreen that they’re doing to get other teams guessing as to what their real motives are but let’s breakdown their current quarterback situation and why these rumors could be true.

At the current moment on the roster, the Jets have Geno Smith, Matt Simms and newly acquired Ryan Fitzpatrick. Due to Fitzpatrick coming off a broken leg injury, he might not be ready to actually compete for the starting job until around this summer at training camps. He should still be able to beat out the rest and most likely start come next season.

More from New York Jets

Simms has been a delegated backup his entire pro career. I don’t really see him as a starting option since he hasn’t impressed much when he was given opportunities to shine. If he couldn’t beat out a struggling Mark Sanchez and a rookie in Smith at the time just a few years ago, I don’t see him being starting option anytime soon.

When it comes to Smith, he needs a ton of work before he can be a quality starting option again. I don’t blame him as much as I do the previous Jets’ regime for throwing him into a starting position he was nowhere near prepared or trained for to succeed in. He just needs to be retrained towards becoming a better quarterback.

While the Jets have a stop-gap option for at least the next year or two in Fitzpatrick, he’s not really the long-term option the team needs at quarterback. If possible, it makes sense to draft their franchise quarterback and groom him to take over in the future under the right leadership and guidance.

Then again, if the cost is ridiculous to trade up in the draft to land someone like Marcus Mariota for example, it might be too risky. While I think Mariota will be a fantastic quarterback down the road, the cost to trade up to draft him might backfire on the Jets if he doesn’t pan out as envisioned.

There is of course that small chance that Mariota falls down in the draft right into the hands of the Jets who currently hold the No. 6 overall first-round pick. You never know what can happen come draft day but one thing is for sure, the Jets still need their franchise quarterback at one point or other.

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) drops back to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

I just don’t see that person on the roster currently to be honest. I believe Smith can improve if he’s given a complete reset and gets developed all over again but even his time on the team could be coming to an end if he continues to struggle. If he adds on to all the inconsistencies of his past two years and the 49 turnovers he’s committed already, he’ll be gone in the future.

If the Jets plan to develop their franchise quarterback of the future, it has to happen sooner than later. If they can land Mariota, that would be a great situation heading into next season and beyond.

If they don’t, they might as well put Smith on that developmental plan, give him a few years away from the spotlight and hope for the best.

Overall, I think the Jets are somewhat telling the truth in the grand scheme of things but I doubt they’ll ever pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to move up in the draft to grab Mariota.

It would require a ton of future first-round draft picks and maybe even one of their top players or two. These rumors of the Jets teasing to trade up and flat out take Mariota could just be some old-school strategy to keep opposing teams guessing. Take these quarterback rumors with a grain of salt in my opinion.

Next: New York Jets should pass on Randy Gregory

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/New York Jets