New York Jets release QB Luke Falk in surprising roster decision

The New York Jets have surprisingly released quarterback Luke Falk following his struggles over the past few weeks and the return of Sam Darnold.

The New York Jets have made a surprising move to shake up their quarterback depth chart ahead of the Week 6 return of Sam Darnold, releasing Luke Falk.

Falk had started the previous two games for New York during Darnold’s bout with mononucleosis and backup Trevor Siemian‘s season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. Unfortunately, Falk didn’t fare too well in his three outings — although it isn’t as though he was given much of a chance.

Falk faced the unenviable task of making his first career start on the road against the dominant New England Patriots defense. Not only that, but the Washington State product was playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football.

In his Week 3 start against the Philadelphia Eagles and their vaunted defense, Falk was sacked nine times as he finished just 15-of-26 for 120 yards and two interceptions. The week prior he was sacked five times and he finished 12-of-22 for under 100 yards and another interception.

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Some of those sacks, however, could be blamed on Falk’s passive temperament in the pocket. Too often Falk would find himself holding on to the ball too long allowing the defense to break through and pick up the sack.

A lot of it was on the offensive line, but Falk must shoulder some of the blame too.

Still, Falk’s play — although poor — certainly seemed fair given the situation he was placed in. With a poor supporting cast and a lackluster offensive gameplan, Falk was destined to fail from the very start.

This is why the Jets’ decision to flat out waive him comes as a surprise.

Upon Darnold’s return, the only other quarterback on the active roster is former Miami Dolphins signal-caller David Fales. Fales was brought into last week’s game very late in the contest and was sacked in his only drop-back.

Other than Fales, the Jets also have 2018 fifth-round pick Mike White on their practice squad but the options are clearly limited. At least Falk had starting experience and had played in Adam Gase’s system this season in an actual game.

Neither Fales of White could say that — unless you count Fales’ one drop-back last week.

At the end of the day, Falk was thrust into a terrible situation in which there was really no way he would succeed. Unfortunately, his poor play will be held against him and while some of the criticism is fair, much of it is unwarranted.

But alas, the Luke Falk era in New York does appear to be over. And it ended with a whimper instead of a bang.