The New York Jets have apparently embraced “The Process,” which used by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers to justify openly tanking for the worst record in the league. Today, we preview the New York Jets season opener against the Buffalo Bills where the Jets are +9 point underdogs.
The team announced this week that 38-year-old journeyman quarterback Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback for the season opener.
McCown, who has lost 20 of his last 22 starts, was head coach Todd Bowles choice over Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.
“He gives us the best chance to win right now,” coach Todd Bowles said Monday of McCown. “He has the best grasp of the offense right now. The other two got significantly better, but he still has the best grasp of the offense right now. From his talent, he’s proven it this spring and this summer.”
McCown will be New York’s fourth opening day starter in the past six seasons, joining a list that includes Geno Smith, Mark Sanchez and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
During training camp and preseason, McCown was seen by the staff as the best option even though Hackenberg received most of the work during preseason.
Bowles insisted he isn’t disappointed with Hackenberg, who struggled during the preseason, and expects him to get better in time.
After the announcement was made, Hackenberg told reporters he wasn’t disappointed in the coach’s decision because he believes the coach did what he felt was right for the team.
McCown sat for most of the preseason because Bowles wanted to evaluate the young quarterbacks on the roster, and according to those familiar with the situation, was privately hoping Hackenberg would play well enough to earn the job.
The Jets quarterback situation is one of the weirdest in the league because they jeopardized their season last year because they didn’t want to pay Fitzpatrick. This year, they had the opportunity to keep Smith, who is familiar with the offense, but decided to let him go and brought in McCown.
One thing we know for sure is the Jets are doing their best not to win any games this year, and it will be fun to see just how bad they are and if they are bad enough to tie the Detroit Lions as the only teams to go 0-16.
