Jets should take slow approach with Christian Hackenberg

The New York Jets need a franchise quarterback to finally emerge but in the grand scheme of things, shouldn’t rush Christian Hackenberg until he’s truly developed and ready to deliver.

The New York Jets should be very patient in regards to the development and progression of quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Time will tell with what he can do for a team with some options at quarterback heading into training camp.

The 22-year-old quarterback has to step up in training camp and show the Jets why he deserves to start if he can beat out the most likely competition for that starters job, teammates Bryce Petty and Josh McCown. Petty’s potential is shining through and making fans eager to see what he’s made of, as he is, in my opinion, the best go to for the Jets to put out there and prove he has the potential to be a franchise quarterback.

Hackenberg, who played for Penn State, put up questionable stats, but the Jets gave him a chance and saw something in him that brought him to being drafted by the Jets. His stats for Penn State can suggest why he needs to be worked with further if he intends and expects to beat out Petty. Hackenberg has 48 touchdowns in 37 games started for Penn State, throwing 31 interceptions from 2013 to 2015.

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If anyone is at the moment suitable to carry the weight of a team in need of an offensive boost, with fans and players hungry for a taste of playoff hopes and more, Hackenberg would have to really, really step up. His decision making and accuracy would need to be on point.

He can get there but isn’t quite ready. Many believe if Hackenberg doesn’t show any progress just one year after being drafted he should be cut or given up on. This would be a terrible mistake since the Jets should take a slow and focused approach to his development. An approach that could get him ready to make a serious case to start for the Jets as early as 2018.

For now, Petty’s played and shown flashes of big league abilities, so he’ll more than likely win the upcoming quarterback competition that awaits all three players. Out of the options the Jets have right now, it’s indeed in the team’s and Hackenberg’s best interest to be patient and see what Petty has to offer. Hackenberg is a work in progress, and his time will come. Just not yet but if the Jets do it right with his continued coaching and training, he will more than likely be a pleasant surprise down the road.