NY Jets: 3 notable QB’s who ‘technically’ played for Gang Green

We take a look at three former quarterbacks who “technically” played for the NY Jets.

The NY Jets have had some notable players suit up for the green and white throughout their history. But while everyone remembers guys like Joe Namath and the Darrelle Revis, there are undoubtedly a few names that get tossed aside and discarded.

It’s always fun to reminisce. But what about reminiscing about stuff you don’t even remember?

That’s the peculiar exercise we’re set to partake in today and in the coming weeks where we’ll be discussing some of the more forgotten members of Gang Green.

These players will have earned their “fame” elsewhere but their career journies featured a short stint with the Jets that most will have long forgotten by now.

Now, let’s set some guidelines real quick. The term “played for” will include players who didn’t actually play in a game for the team. But if they were under contract with the Jets at any point (offseason, practice squad, etc.), they’re fair game.

Moreover, a player will qualify if they are notable enough that a good portion of NFL fans will recognize the name for one reason or another. Who’s going to determine their degree of notoriety?

Me, I will — this isn’t exactly a scientific study nor is it intended to be.

With that, let’s take a look at three notable NFL quarterbacks who “technically” played for the Jets.

Next: 3. David Garrard

3. David Garrard technically played for the NY Jets

Some of you might remember this one, but I’m willing to bet that the vast majority don’t remember David Garrard‘s brief time as a member of the Jets. You’re certainly forgiven if you don’t.

Let’s quickly set the scene.

The year is 2013. The Jets have just drafted Geno Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but their projected starter remains the incumbent Mark Sanchez.

Behind them on the depth chart is former Tennessee star Matt Simms who will later get benched by the Atlanta Legends in the short-lived Alliance of American Football.

But every Jets fan at this time swears he’s the next coming of Tom Brady, just trust them on this.

Sanchez messes up his shoulder in the third preseason game and Smith is forced into action in his rookie season. Needing a veteran backup, the Jets re-sign Garrard who had briefly retired back in May.

Garrard actually signed with the team in March after a failed comeback stint in Miami, but retired two months later due to persistent knee injuries. Nonetheless, the Jets brought back the long-tenured Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback in October and activated him two weeks later.

The Jets would carry Garrard on the roster for the remainder of the 2013 season before he officially retired following that year. And thus brought an end to Garrard’s uneventful stint in Florham Park.

Of course, the former fourth-round pick will be remembered for his nine years with the Jaguars — five of which as the team’s unquestioned starter.

And perhaps it’s best we all go back to forgetting his uninspiring late-career run with the Jets.

Next: 2. Brady Quinn

2. Brady Quinn technically played for the NY Jets

A first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Brady Quinn never lived up to expectations in the NFL. After three uninspiring years in Cleveland, Quinn was traded to the Denver Broncos — a team he would never play a game for.

A failed stint in Kansas City that saw the former Notre Dame star toss just two touchdowns (and eight interceptions) in eight starts was the final nail in the coffin for his chances of being a future starter.

But Quinn still hoped that he could provide value as a backup. And going into the 2013 season (yes, we’re talking about that year again), he looked to do just that with the Seattle Seahawks.

However, he was cut as part of final roster cuts after getting beaten out by the late Tarvaris Jackson. He wasn’t out of work for long, though, as the Jets signed him in early September following the aforementioned season-ending injury to Mark Sanchez.

Quinn was released just five days after signing, but then re-signed two days later. And the veteran would actually remain on the roster all the way up until late October when the Jets signed — wait for it — David Garrard.

Small world.

Then-head-coach Rex Ryan saw Garrard as more of a true veteran backup and Quinn was released. In total, Quinn spent less than two months on the team, but he “technically” did play for the Jets.

He never actually appeared in a game, but nearly two months spent on the active roster is good enough for me.

Nowadays, Quinn is a regular football analyst appearing on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff and various other college football programs — the memories of his brief Jets tenure long forgotten.

Next: 1. Drew Stanton

1. Drew Stanton technically played for the NY Jets

Both Garrard and Quinn were at least members of the active roster during their short, uneventful Jets tenures. But Drew Stanton, he never even made it past the offseason.

Back in 2012, Stanton had just finished up a four-year stint with the Detroit Lions starting four career games in place of Matthew Stafford. And with the Jets looking to acquire some insurance behind incumbent starter Mark Sanchez, they signed Stanton to a one-year deal in March.

Unfortunately, the team then decided to get cute — and Stanton wasn’t having any of it. Yes, we’re referring to the now-infamous trade for Tim Tebow.

Tebow was acquired five days after Stanton was signed and the former Lions quarterback — who reportedly turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Jets — told Jets officials that he wanted out.

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Two days later he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts ending his Jets tenure after just one week. Stanton was shipped to Indianapolis along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for the Colts’ sixth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Just for fun, I decided to take a look to see if anyone of note was taken with those picks. The Jets used their acquired pick to select safety Josh Bush who would spend around two seasons with the team as a backup/special-teamer.

Meanwhile, the Colts used their seventh-round pick on edge rusher Tim Fugger who would, funnily enough, later spend time on the Jets’ practice squad in 2013 and on their preseason roster in 2014.

Stanton, on the other hand, would go on to have much a more successful stint with the Arizona Cardinals and most recently served as Baker Mayfield’s backup in Cleveland.

But for one lone week in March, Drew Stanton was a member of the NY Jets.