New York Jets: Writing off Christian Hackenberg is a mistake

If the New York Jets were to write off Christian Hackenberg due to slow growth, it would be a huge mistake, despite what the media and fans are saying.

In 1986, the Washington Redskins drafted a quarterback from Washington State named Mark Rypien. He didn’t play in a single NFL game until Week 4 of the 1988 season (his first career start). From 1988-90, the Redskins started Rypien in 30 games. Finally, in 1991, the Redskins gave Rypien the reigns, and they went 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.

The New York Jets could be missing out on that chance if they go for the quick fix or take a chance on a quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft not worth that chance.

Many look at the fact that Christian Hackenberg hasn’t taken a snap in two years as a sign that he can’t play in the NFL. There could be a chance that the coaches are just biding their time and being patient with his growth. It could be an old school approach to the position that people in today’s NFL just aren’t used to. There’s also a chance he can’t play. The truth is we don’t actually know.

Only the coaches do. There’s a chance they see enough growth that’s worth keeping him around. That said, basing an opinion on his progress completely on not playing for two seasons is not the right way to approach it.

It’s typical for sports fans, especially in New York, to be impatient. In the day and age of instant gratification, a slow, work-in-progress type growth is unacceptable. We always jump to conclusions that may or may not be the truth.

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We all grow into what we are supposed become differently. We shouldn’t expect someone to reach his potential in this league just because others do. Many will immediately discredit the coaching staff and administration if they stick with Hackenberg over this “great” quarterback class. There’s one cliché phrase that comes to mind in this situation: Patience is a virtue.