Josh McCown shouldn’t be starter in 2017

Barring injury, it would be a mistake for the New York Jets to name Josh McCown the starter come Week 1 of the regular season.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, quarterback Josh McCown leads the way in becoming the Jets’ starting quarterback on opening Sunday:

It’ll go like it did Tuesday on the first day of OTAs, with well-traveled veteran Josh  McCown in the starting role.

If McCown ends up as the starting quarterback, it will prove one thing. The Jets learned nothing from 2016. Right now, everyone is toeing the company line of an open competition at quarterback, especially new offensive coordinator, John Morton. In the same article by Cimini, Morton said:

We’re giving everybody a great opportunity to show themselves and see if they can be the starter.

Either Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty should be the starter when the Jets travels to New Era Stadium on September 10 to open up the regular season. If not, it will set this team back.

In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Jets doubled down on the wide receiver position. They took a speed guy, and after the draft, it became clear both draft picks were to ease the roster pain of the recently injured Devin Smith.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

The team won’t be able to develop a decent identity they can build on with McCown. It’s very similar to the Ryan Fitzpatrick problem. It became evident that Fitzpatrick’s lack of arm strength was an issue by year two. Similarly, McCown’s limited arm strength will hinder the growth of the receivers.

In addition to not being able to stretch the field, the Jets receivers won’t be able to run after the catch. He won’t be able to get the ball quick enough to receivers to allow them to run. Since he won’t be able to do that, it will allow the defenders to close on the receivers. Thus, eliminating run after the catch.

Both of those things limit your offense, leading to predictability. That will lead to limited growth potential. It’s okay to have a veteran guy in the locker room to be a quasi-coach, but naming him the starter will lead to disastrous consequences.