NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New York Jets: How many quarterbacks should be on the 2018 roster?

By Michael Pallas

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The big question with grooming Sam Darnold, beyond whether or not he will start Week 1, is how many quarterbacks should the New York Jets have on the roster?

The NFL used to have a third quarterback rule, back when the game-day rosters were 45 players. A third quarterback was allowed to dress for the game, but, if for any reason he were to enter the game, the first two quarterbacks on the roster would be ineligible to play in that game.

They have since abolished the rule and expanded game day rosters to 46 players, and now many teams carry three quarterbacks. So, how should the New York Jets approach their quarterback depth chart in 2018?

The answer to that is very dependent on several factors. The first of those factors is Sam Darnold. If Darnold can prove he’s ready early and win the starting job, there’s actually no need to carry more than two. As ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote:

"The Jets haven’t gone with only two since 2013 (Geno Smith and Matt Simms), but it’s the best approach for the sake of Darnold’s development — and that’s what matters most."

However, if Teddy Bridgewater shows up and performs in camp and preseason the Jets may be faced with a dilemma. If they can’t find any suitors for Bridgewater, they should actually consider going with three quarterbacks and making Bridgewater the emergency third quarterback.

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Christian Hackenberg has mas wholesale changes to his throwing motion. So, can he be trade bait? Probably not, but what if Bridgewater’s knee doesn’t hold up or Bridewater just can’t compete at the NFL level anymore? The Jets may keep Hackenberg on the roster in an emergency role as well.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Grades for each first-round pick

The best case scenario for the Jets would be that Darnold earns the No. 1 quarterback spot and  McCown be his backup as a second quarterback coach on the bench. In addition, they’d cut Hackenberg and get something in return for Bridgewater. So, it’s a quarterback room of two players, McCown and Darnold.

Having McCown and Bates in Darnold’s ear will be enough for his development, and that’s what the Jets need. Limit the voices for their future franchise quarterback.

Home/New York Jets