The New York Jets might not get Kirk Cousins after all. If that’s the case, here are the best backup options for Gang Green.
The 2018 offseason roller coaster for teams has been one of the bumpiest in league history. Hopefully, you buckled your seat belts.
The New York Jets don’t seem to be fazed by the varying Kirk Cousins reports that have seen them as the prohibitive favorites to second fiddle. At the annual NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that they “have multiple plans at quarterback,” per team reporter Eric Allen.
Todd Bowles tells reporters #Jets have multiple plans at QB.
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) February 28, 2018
They better have another option because the Minnesota Vikings have captured the lead in the race. Although, according to reports, the Jets still have a chance.
Kirk Cousins' free-agent decision is down to Vikings and Jets, per @nfldraftscout https://t.co/la2Km15z7F pic.twitter.com/4nsU5MDaXw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2018
While the Jets made the final two, if the decision really comes down to these two teams, there’s little conversation. The Vikings were in the NFC Championship Game last season while the Jets only won five games (and that was celebrated).
But let’s just say the Jets miss out on Cousins, which seems a definite possibility. What’s the backup plan? Let’s rank the Jets best backup options.
We’ll go from worst to first
I could see this being the Jets if they’re convinced Cousins is going to Minnesota https://t.co/H1v0Jyxb9L
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 5, 2018
Report: AFC Team Has Offered Eagles 2nd-Rd Pick For Nick Foles https://t.co/sLLyW45XZi pic.twitter.com/gLmFCUtC9a
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 5, 2018
If I read the headline, I’d be clicking my heels. Then as most millennials, I’d probably share the story on social media without reading it.
But upon eventually reading it and learning the Jets gave up a second-round pick for a spark in the bottle in Nick Foles, I’d be disappointed. Let another team make that mistake. The Jets need as much value heading into the NFL Draft to have the ability to trade up, not trade for over-the-hill backup quarterbacks.
But apparently, a second-round pick wouldn’t even get it done.
“The sources said the Eagles’ basic answer to interested teams is that getting Foles is going to take more than the first- and fourth-round picks they received from the Minnesota Vikings for Sam Bradford prior to the start of the 2016 season,” per ESPN’s Tim McManus.
Moving right along …
Jets 'Plan B' may be Bridgewater and McCown https://t.co/5oUmQWXVOi
— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) March 5, 2018
I love Teddy Bridgewater—and you know a but is coming—but he’s injury prone. He’s coming off a devastating knee injury that was a potential career-ender. If I was running the team and signed Bridgewater, I don’t think I’d pair him with Josh McCown. The Jets can’t put all their eggs in the retirement home/disabled basket.
If the Jets opt for Bridgewater (who I think would be great value), they should pair him with a younger healthier option.
The clear No. 1 option is …
A rookie quarterback.
Folks let’s not lose our minds here if the Cousins thing doesn’t work out. That’s not the end all be all. The Jets can save $150 million (give or take) by opting for a young affordable passer from the 2018 NFL Draft.
General manager Mike Maccagnan has revealed that the Jets are going to be aggressive and active in free agency. I think that mindset will remain even with Cousins potentially out of the picture.
The Jets are not a quarterback away, they need a ton of help in a ton of areas. Maximize that with the cap space you have. From all the NFL Draft Insiders I’ve spoken with all of the quarterbacks have their own flaws.
So this is a pick your flavor or poison kind of draft. My personal favorite flavors are Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen. Both are accurate guys, different builds, but super intelligent. If the Jets came away from the draft with either of these two passers, I’d be over the top excited for the future.
It’s always good to have options. The Jets have that this season and should remember that as they progress through this process. Don’t be desperate, make sound decisions, and do whatever it takes to bring in a franchise-caliber quarterback this offseason.
