McCown, as expected, named Jets’ starting QB

Florham Park, N.J. — Josh McCown is ready to roll — even if he hasn't played much this preseason.

Jets coach Todd Bowles announced Monday that McCown will start at quarterback in New York's regular-season opener at Buffalo on Sept. 10, ending a strange training camp competition that included Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.

“It's a lot overall,” Bowles said of the decision to go with McCown. “He gives us the best chance to win right now.”

The 38-year-old McCown was the assumed starter when he signed a one-year, $6 million deal in March, and that never changed despite the fact he has played in just one series in a preseason game and led the Jets to a touchdown in the opener .

“Obviously, Coach Bowles had a plan going from back to the spring to now,” McCown said. “Every step of the way, we understood what was going on, and it was clear communication, and that's the key.”

Hackenberg, a second-round pick last year, saw an increase in practice snaps and started the past two games. But he struggled mightily and made no real push to win the job over McCown.

“I'm looking forward to playing the best ball that I've ever played,” McCown said. “That's my mindset.”

McCown is 2-20 over the past three seasons with Tampa Bay and Cleveland, and has 29 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions.

Despite the mediocre numbers, the Jets brought him in to be a mentor to the youngsters and provide the offense with an experienced presence.

The West Coast-style offense that new coordinator John Morton is using with the Jets is similar to the one McCown worked with in Chicago, where he had perhaps his best season in 2013.

Filling in for the injured Jay Cutler, McCown threw for 1,829 yards with 13 touchdowns and just one interception.

“Josh brings experience, poise, leadership, confidence,” said quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who served in the same role with the Bears in 2012 when McCown was there. “He's played in this game and understands the West Coast system. In the quarterbacks room, that's our one goal, is to win on Sunday. And Josh gives us the best opportunity.”

The Jets held a curious competition, however, with the assumed No. 1 quarterback getting lots of snaps in preseason workouts and minicamp but then sitting for all but one series of the first three preseason games.

Bowles and Bates pointed to the experience of McCown, who is entering his 15th season and playing for his 10th NFL team. Meanwhile, the Jets wanted to see Hackenberg and Petty get as many reps as possible to get a better read on their progress.

This was considered a big summer for Hackenberg, who sat his entire rookie season and was deemed a project who needed to improve on his mechanics and other aspects of his game.