BACKUP PLAN
Sure, Siemian wants to start but he can play key role in helping Jet QB Darnold
Trevor Siemian has struck a balance between selflessness and selfishness in his first five years in this cutthroat business. He’s a terrific teammate, listener and giver of advice. He is a tireless worker and model professional. You want guys like him in your locker room.
Sometimes the backup quarterback is the most popular player to a frustrated fan base. Sometimes, he’s just a guy who collects dust on the sideline for 17 weeks. Siemian’s career arc has taken him from the 250th player taken in the 2015 draft to unlikely starter for the better part of two seasons to clipboard holder.
“I think I’m in an interesting spot where I’m still improving as
a player… but I haven’t played [since 2017],” Siemian told the Daily News. “And that part stinks. I want to be the best teammate I can be and be a great resource for Sam. But I’d be lying to you if [I said] not playing didn’t stink a little bit. That’s the way things happen. And I got to take it as it comes. And do what you can do to improve.”
You can’t fault the 27-year-old for wanting what everybody else on Adam Gase’s team wants: A chance to prove that he’s an NFL starter.
Two seasons after Siemian started his 24th game with the Broncos — and one season after he didn’t take a single snap with the Vikings — the signal caller hopes to maximize his opportunity with the Jets. “Everyone’s got their own track,” Siemian said. “And it would be selfish for me to think that I’m the only guy, who’s started than moved to a 2…. This business is so fluid. It’s a weekto-week proposition. I think I learned that pretty quickly. I think it’s all about perspective.”
Siemian has the proper mindset. He had an encouraging preseason debut (13 for 16, 77 yards, TD) that included completing his first 11 passes against the Giants Thursday night. The veteran should give Gase & Co. confidence that they have a reliable option to turn to if Darnold misses some time. (The Jets lost all three games that Darnold missed due to a foot injury last season.)
“I expected that,” Gase said of Siemian’s performance in the preseason opener. “He’s been good the entire training camp. It’s different when it’s live, when he can escape the pocket and they got to actually bring him down. He can extend plays. He’s really good in the huddle. He calms all the rest of those guys down when he gets in the game. Just knows how to operate really well as a quarterback.”
Siemian was 13-11 as the starter in Denver in 2016-17 before sitting behind Kirk Cousins in Minnesota last year. He also had interest from the Rams and Bengals this offseason. Make no mistake. Gase — looking for a smart, dependable player behind Darnold — was the driving force
behind signing him to a oneyear, $2 million deal.
The goal is clear: Show everyone in the league what he’s capable of this preseason. If Siemian performs well, he could have another starting opportunity elsewhere, or at the very least get more money as a backup.
To that end, Siemian works with a purpose every day in practice. He picks one or two specific things to focus on at practice. Maybe it’s making sure he completes 100 percent of his passes to the left. Whatever challenge he puts in front of himself, the preparation is meticulous.
He’s just as competitive — if not more — than everyone else in the quarterback room. But he doesn’t allow his inherent competitiveness to bleed into selfishness.
“Just being a good teammate, whether you’re the starter, the 2, the 3, that’s No. 1,” Siemian said. “Part of the reason I love the game is the camaraderie, the huddle, the locker room. That’s takes precedence for me. At the same time, when you get a chance to compete, even out here in practice, it’s fun. That’s how I look at it.”
Siemian might not have nearly two decades of NFL experience like Josh McCown, but he’s always willing to help Darnold as much as he can. It’s part of his DNA.
“I was just where Sam was,” Siemian said. “My first and second year, I had a scheme change. Whatever Sam needs. He’s got some awesome coaches here to lean on, but I just chip in a little player perspective. I’ve been there and played a little bit. Certain things I can help him out. If he’s got a question for me or something comes up, I can give him something.”
He’s always ready to help. In a league where undercover selfishness can tear apart a team, that matters.
The Jets are in good shape at QB. But forgive Siemian if he isn’t doing cartwheels at the suggestion that he’s one of the better backups around.
“So that puts me at 35th to 40th best QB in the league?” Siemian said with a laugh. “I haven’t even thought of that once. This thing is so fluid. And you truly do live in your own bubble. If you miss an opportunity to get better, you’re getting bypassed in this league pretty quickly. You can turn your head left and right and you see it all the time. So, it’s pretty easy to stay dialed in, stay excited about these reps in training camp or preseason. That’s all I got.”
He’ll be a solid insurance policy for Gase.