People-watching linebacker earns Bowles’ trust

Josh Martin is not your average NFL player.

The Jets’ outside linebacker went to Columbia, graduating in 2013 with a degree in anthropology.

“It definitely sounds intimidating, but it was a bunch of fun,” Martin said Thursday of his major. “I learned a lot of cool stuff about different people. That’s one of my values — what different people bring to the table.”

The Jets are interested in what Martin can bring to the table this year. The 25-yearold is expected to start at outside linebacker Sunday against the Bills. Jets coach Todd Bowles has declined to name the starter, but Martin got the majority of reps with the first team during the preseason. He joined the Jets in 2015 as part of the practice squad. Last year, he was one of their best special-teams players but rarely played on defense.

This offseason, the Jets showed what they thought of Martin, signing him to a two-year, $4.3 million con- tract. Now, it appears he will get a chance to show what he can do as a linebacker.

Martin is the only player from Columbia currently on an NFL roster.

He impressed the Jets coaches with how hard he worked this offseason.

“Josh is a hard worker,” Todd Bowles said. “He was pretty nicked up last year, so he didn’t play a lot of defense. The system was kind of new to him. He’s worked hard.”

Offensive coordinator John Morton said he would feel comfortable with Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty playing quarterback Sunday if they had to. Josh McCown won the quarterback competition, but Morton did not sound down on Hackenberg or Petty.

Morton was asked about Hackenberg’s development.

“I think it’s an ongoing process,” Morton said. “He improves every single day. Those two guys out there are working after practice and continuing to improve.”

His assessment of Hackenberg’s training camp: “I thought he did a pretty good job.”