The time is now for Christian Hackenberg to prove his worth

As the starting quarterback questions start to heat up in Florham Park, Christian Hackenberg is becoming more of a realistic favorite candidate. It’s his time to shine and prove his worth in 2017.

With the recent addition of journeymen quarterback Josh McCown to the New York Jets, it had left an initial impact of skepticism amongst fans.  Why would head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan make such a bonehead business move with each of their jobs potentially on the line this upcoming season?

Why would they put the fate of their jobs behind a soon to be 38-year-old quarterback that knows how to lose rather than win? They wouldn’t. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and some may say that the organization reached tremendously with this pick.

Hackenberg is still unproven to the public regardless of what Bowles and Maccagnan know about his abilities that we do not.  A question mark will be next to his name until the moment he gets regular season game experience.

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He has pro potential and was drafted as a signal caller that needed pro-development until he would be ready to compete for a starting role.  The fact of the matter is, Bowles does not have any more time to babysit and the time is now for Hackenberg.

After a rough 5-11 showing last season from a struggling Jets team, we were able to get a glimpse of what Bryce Petty could do after his “redshirt” year in 2015.  It was not so impressive.

That leads to the belief that this year will be Hackenberg’s shot at the job through the offseason and training camp.  With the help of a player-coach that at least has the experience to his name in McCown, would provide the ideal mentor.  It won’t be surprising to see another quarterback being thrown into the mix of competition with the 2017 NFL Draft quickly approaching either.

During a Friday afternoon conference call, Maccagnan stated that all options are on the table at the quarterback position going forward.  For all we know, Hackenberg could really surprise many this upcoming season as he prepares to take the next step in his career.  At any rate, the time is now for him to show his coaches and teammates what he’s learned so far.