Jets shouldn’t waste their time starting Josh McCown

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Jun 9, 2017

May 23, 2017; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) throws a pass during organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Jets plan to have an open quarterback competition in training camp to determine their next starter. They shouldn’t waste their time starting Josh McCown if he ends up winning.

A few months ago, the New York Jets acquired veteran quarterback Josh McCown to be a mentor to both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. The general thought process was he would be there to help develop them in their respective careers and be able to step in if needed under center.

Earlier this week, the Jets made headlines across the football world by announcing the releases of both linebacker David Harris and wide receiver Eric Decker. These two veterans were huge locker room leaders and while they’re entering the final few years of their careers, they were still able to be used in situational plays.

Either way, the Jets, by the looks of it, are committed to a full rebuild and giving all their younger players as much regular season experience as possible. Now, by that train of thought, it’s expected that the Jets will have open competitions to determine starters all training camp long but when it comes to the most important position on the team, why would they waste their time if it ends up being McCown that wins?

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Ideally, this would have been great to do but since the Jets continue to purge their roster of either aging, unproductive, or players that will be distractions, they should change what they originally planned to do at quarterback.

This “open quarterback competition” should really be between Petty and Hackenberg with the best man earning the starting position.

It doesn’t make sense to have McCown start and play with all the young talent around him when it’s time the Jets finally get a real glimpse of what Petty or Hackenberg can do. They plan to install a new West Coast offense which either way, should be given to one of the younger quarterbacks to master and develop the right way.

There will be growing pains for sure but at least one of them will be hopefully groomed for the future. Enough is enough with having veterans past their prime, especially someone like McCown who is nothing more than a journeyman backup, take away valuable playing time from one of the younger quarterbacks. If the Jets are rebuilding for the future, it’s imperative they know if they should keep Petty or Hackenberg around or consider drafting yet another quarterback next year.

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The Jets outraged many fans with their surprise veteran cuts and whether you agree with it or not, it doesn’t make sense to make such moves but then go ahead and start the season with a 38-year-old quarterback. If they’re going to blow up the roster and see what all these young players can do, they should also do the same at quarterback. Leave McCown as a backup and let the two young gunslingers duke it out to lead this youth movement the right way.