FIGHTER PILOTS
QB battles again focus as Jets’ OTAs commence
The Jets will return to the field Tuesday for their first organized team activity practice of the spring.
They will have 10 of these voluntary practices over the next three weeks, followed by a three-day mandatory minicamp June 12-14. After some major roster changes this offseason, here are five storylines we’ll be watching during OTAs:
The quarterback shuffle
Honestly, we could have five storylines alone on the quarterbacks. This group is the most fascinating part of this team — as usual. Start with Sam Darnold. The first-round pick is going to get his first chance to participate in team drills with his veteran teammates. Can he give himself a good base to go into training camp with?
Teddy Bridgewater’s health is going to be a major topic of discussion. He is expected to be limited in OTAs as he still recovers from left knee surgery in 2016. Bridgewater needs reps after missing most of the past two seasons. The quicker he can get back into team drills, the better for him.
Then, there is third-year quarterback Christian Hackenberg. He spent the offseason revamping his throwing motion. Will it be noticeable? The Jets are curious to see if Hackenberg has improved before they decide whether to cut him this summer.
The only quarterback who does not have a microscope on him is starter Josh McCown. That will wait until training camp, when Darnold and Bridgewater could push him for that starting spot.
Who are these guys?
The Jets might have the most anonymous group of tight ends in football. They took a calculated risk letting Austin Seferian-Jenkins depart in free agency. That was be- cause they believed Jordan Leggett, Eric Tomlinson and Neal Sterling could man the position. In the draft they added Chris Herndon, who signed his four-year rookie contract Monday leaving Darnold as the only draft pick not signed. Now, we will see if they can hack it.
Quincy’s back
One of the Jets’ biggest acquisitions this season will be the potential return of a healthy Quincy Enunwa. The wide receiver suffered a neck injury last August that required season-ending surgery. He has said he expects to be a full-go in OTAs. His return will give a jolt to the Jets offense. He had 58 catches for 857 yards and four touchdowns in a bad offense in 2016.
The $72.5 million man
The Jets made their biggest splash in free agency by signing cornerback Trumaine Johnson to a five-year, $72.5 million deal. This will be our first chance to see him on the field with Todd Bowles’ defense. Bowles has not had a true shutdown corner in his time with the Jets. If Johnson can be that guy, Bowles can get more creative with his blitz packages.
Feel the rush
Speaking of blitzes, the Jets are probably going to have to do that a lot this season. They don’t have an elite edge rusher on the roster. It was impossible for general manager Mike Maccagnan to fill every hole on the roster this offseason, but this is the most glaring one left.
The starting outside linebackers are expected to be Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin. Can Lorenzo Mauldin salvage his career after missing 2017 with a back injury? The 2015 third-round pick is out of chances to prove he can be the pass rusher the Jets hoped they were getting in the draft.