Jets 2017 Report Card: Grading the quarterbacks

2017 was a much better year in the grand scheme of things for the New York Jets. Here are the grades for the team’s quarterbacks this season.

Overall, even though the New York Jets had the same 5-11 record in 2017 as they did 2016, it was still a much better season for them. Most of the young players showed quick progression as the season went on. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for everyone.

While there were a lot of progressions, it wasn’t really shown from the young quarterbacks. Bryce Petty seemed to get worse, and no one can say much of anything about Christian Hackenberg since he still hasn’t seen the field in a regular season game. The only positives at the quarterback position came from veteran Josh McCown.

McCown threw for 18 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. He also had a 67.3 completion percentage, and the all of the team’s five wins. While it’s nice they had progress in one of the quarterbacks, it would have been nicer if it was out of one of the younger guys. Well, without further ado, let’s get to the slideshow.

Next: 3. Christian Hackenberg

3. Christian Hackenberg – F

There is not much to say about Hackenberg. In two seasons, the former second-round pick has never had regular season action, and he’s only ever dressed as a backup for regular seasons for the final games this year.

It’s starting to become pretty clear that he’ll never be anything for the Jets. If he doesn’t see any playing time in the first few weeks of the 2018 season, then they should either release him or trade him for some draft picks.

Hackenberg was very good at Penn State. He deserves a chance. However, if he never gets it, then this was a wasted pick. Either way, Hackenberg is still an unknown prospect at this point in time as there’s a strong chance the Jets didn’t play him at all in 2017 due to him being nowhere near ready to start.

The Jets have a tough decision to make here with Hackenberg but at the very least, again, he deserves a shot to play and confirm once and for all if he’s capable to be an effective quarterback in this league. Stashing him on the sideline year after year doesn’t do either side any good.

Next: 2. Bryce Petty

2. Bryce Petty – F

This may get some backlash, but it’s the grade he deserves. Petty looked promising at the end of the 2016 season. He only had one win in three starts, but it was pretty hard to win with that team. Unfortunately, any promise he ever had was thrown out the window after this season.

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Petty came in to replace an injured McCown in Week 14 against the Broncos and played poorly. But, seeing as he was the only backup on the team with any experience, the team stuck with him.

In the last three games of the season, Petty went 0-3 and threw for one touchdown and three interceptions.

If the team is going to get rid of any quarterback, it should be Petty. In three years, he hasn’t shown that he can be the team’s franchise guy. They should just cut their losses and try out Hackenberg.

Next: 1. Josh McCown

1. Josh McCown – B

Josh McCown was probably the only upside at the quarterback position for the Jets in 2017. He was a leader when it came to motivation and player development, and he did a great job of commanding the offense. If not for him, the Jets wouldn’t have been in the playoff contention for that long.

Unfortunately, he got hurt with a broken hand late in the season, killing the team’s playoff chances. Not only that, but the player progression seemed to come to an immediate stop.

If it hadn’t been for that injury, McCown would have been in the Pro Bowl, as well as wide receiver Robby Anderson. The Jets might have made the NFL Playoffs and bringing him back would be a no-brainer. It’s pretty obvious that he should come back, but maybe not to the higher-ups.

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McCown could be a starter, or he could be a backup and coach up the young quarterbacks on the team. The bottom line is that McCown is the only quarterback who was good enough this season to deserve a passing grade. If not for him, this season would have been another major letdown.