New York Jets: Geno Smith vs Christian Hackenberg

With the New York Jets in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft selected quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Does he give the Jets a better chance to win in 2016 over Geno Smith? Let the battle begin.

The Jets have an interesting conundrum at the quarterback position. Arguably they now have three developing quarterbacks on the roster in Bryce Petty, Geno Smith, and the newest addition Christian Hackenberg.

The Jets will keep at a maximum three quarterbacks, disregarding Ryan Fitzpatrick for a moment, the Jets are finished at the position in theory. Petty needs more development, which leaves Smith and Hackenberg.

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Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) scrambles out of the pocket during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Which actually could be good news for Smith, indirectly of course. Because Hackenberg was drafted, the Jets will more likely than not try to groom him for the future. Which puts a timer on Smith to finally get his act together and as a former second round pick himself, prove he is worthy of being the face of the franchise. Because if he doesn’t there’s another investment the Jets made to replace him as the future leader of this team.

#Jets plan to sit Christian Hackenberg, let him grow. They’ve believed in the player for a while. Expect a Ryan Fitzpatrick deal to be 1r

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2016

Those thoughts were shared by the lead NFL Insider for the NFL Network Ian Rapoport. Most people are reporting that Smith will be the odd man out, but that is assuming Fitzpatrick will come back.

As reported by Adam Schefter earlier in the night on his official Twitter account:

Last time Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick had any meaningful talks was, in words of one source, “weeks ago.”

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So the only thing that is safe to say, is nothing is safe. We’ll have to see how this Fitzpatrick situation plays out, but don’t be surprised if Smith is the starting quarterback under center this upcoming season for the Jets.