The New York Jets announced some massive quarterback news following the team’s 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason finale.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said he is “confident” that backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be ready for the season-opening contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Oh, I can’t tell you that,” Glenn responded when asked for the details of Taylor’s return to practice protocol. “But I am confident he will be ready for Week 1.”
Taylor underwent a minor scope knee surgery this offseason. That operation ruled him out for the entire preseason. The team initially said they were hopeful that he would be ready for the opening game, but it sounded up in the air at the time. However, now it seems a lot more concrete that Taylor will be ready to go, which is a huge sigh of relief.
The Alternative Options Underperformed in Jets-Eagles Preseason Game
If Taylor was compromised at the beginning of the season, the Jets would have been forced to turn to a new direction.
Justin Fields is the starter, but he is only one injury away from being replaced.
The only other two passers on the roster are Brady Cook and Adrian Martinez.
Cook got all of the reps in the first half in preseason Week 3, and Martinez got all of the reps in the second half.
Martinez completed 50% of his passes, going 7-for-14, threw for 86 passing yards, and threw an interception. He should have been intercepted again, but the Eagles defender dropped the ball. Martinez was strip-sacked during the game as well. Martinez had one rush for 13 yards.
Cook completed 68% of his passes, going 13-for-19, threw for 99 passing yards, and he also threw an interception. He did scamper twice for 13 rushing yards.
Jets Could Still Consider Adding a Veteran Arm Just in Case
Martinez and Cook have never played snaps in an NFL regular-season game. Trusting them to hold down the fort feels like a bit of a leap if Fields and/or Taylor got hurt.
The Jets did their due diligence on the veteran market by working out Nathan Peterman and C.J. Beathard. Neither player was signed, but they were likely added to the speed dial list just in case of a rainy day.
Jets Ready to Start a Streak at the Quarterback Position.
Over the last 10 seasons, the Jets have only had a fully healthy quarterback start every game of a single season twice.
Ryan Fitzpatrick started all 16 games in 2015, and this past season, Aaron Rodgers suited up for all 17 starts.
Fields has never started a full season, either due to injury or benching. History tells us that drought or streak, depending on your perspective, will continue.
However, NFL Network Insider Judy Battista told me on “Boy Green Daily” that she believes this is the best spot Fields has ever had.
Perhaps a new environment that better suits his skills will open up his opportunities.
The Jets Never Want to Find out the Answer to This Question
Longtime Jets historian Bob Lederer joined me on “Boy Green Daily” this past week. During our conversation, he called Taylor the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
Taylor is the equivalent of volcano insurance. What is the likelihood of your house being engulfed by molten lava during an eruption? Unlikely, but I’ll tell you the answer isn’t 0%.
Is Taylor the best backup QB in the NFL? How would we even know? He hasn’t started more than six games in a regular season since 2018.
In a perfect world, the Jets never have to go to Taylor. In a perfect world, you will never have to check your available policies for volcano insurance.
However, it’s good to know it’s there if the situation ever arises. Taylor is a massive upgrade over the Martinez and Cook experiment.
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