BATTLE TO THE FINISH
Jets’ QB competition could last all summer, Todd Bowles says
FLORHAM PARK » The Jets’ three-man quarterback competition could last the entire summer.
Coach Todd Bowles is in no hurry to make his decision on whether it will be Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Darnold under center as the starter in the team’s regular-season opener at Detroit on Sept. 10.
“You’ve got to play preseason games,” Bowles said Monday. “I’m not into hypotheticals and nothing that hasn’t happened yet. We’re going to let them play. And after the fourth preseason (game), sometime that week, I’ll make my decision and go from there.
“It’s possible I will make my decision after the fourth week.”
Usually, teams have their starters determined by the third preseason game, when the first-teamers play the bulk of the snaps.
The Jets’ coach could also keep the team’s starter under wraps until the night of the game against the Lions.
“The guy who runs out on the field (Monday night) in Week 1, we’ll see who the starter is,” he said.
McCown is the incumbent and still is No. 1 on the depth chart with the first unofficial list released Monday. But, Bridgewater — who’s No. 2 — and Darnold — listed at No. 3 — saw extensive action in practice.
McCown got just 10 snaps in team drills, while Bridgewater had 32 and Darnold a whopping 55, including 16 with the starting offensive line.
“They’re going to play (preseason) games,” Bowles said of Bridgewater and Darnold. “And, I didn’t see enough work Saturday (in the scrimmage at Rutgers). So we needed more work today on certain situations that Josh has been through.”
Bowles said he has an idea of how the Jets will use their quarterbacks in the preseason opener against Atlanta on Friday, but wants to discuss it with his staff before revealing the plan. In fact, there’s no guarantee that McCown will even play against the Falcons.
Last summer, McCown played the first series of the preseason opener and didn’t see the field again until three games later as the Jets gave Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg extended looks. This year, Bridgewater is shaking off the rust from being sidelined nearly two years because of a severe knee injury, while Darnold is the No. 3 overall pick who is considered the future of the franchise.
“This is my 17th training camp and I’ve done this for a while,” McCown said. “Obviously, we have a lot invested in the other two guys, as far as learning the offense and getting comfortable with things. It’s good for our team for those guys to get as much work as they can.”
Darnold has been in camp for just a week after missing the first three practices of camp while working out details in his contract. He quickly got up to speed and had a few solid performances last week, including in the team’s scrimmage.
But the rookie was up and down Monday in 92-degree heat with high humidity, making a few terrific plays and also coming up short on others while not looking as sharp as he had. He also showed some frustration, pumping his fist angrily after one play.
“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable calling plays in the huddle and then executing them,” Darnold said. “Obviously, I’m not exactly where I want to be. There’s always growth that needs to happen. But I’m real excited with where I’m at.”
So are his teammates, who have seen quite a bit of growth in just the last week. Darnold’s ability to make quick reads on the defense and make plays on the fly is impressive.
During one play, Darnold looked at his first read and saw he was covered. So, he checked the second receiver — and he, too, was covered. So, the rookie then went to his third option and connected with a wide-open running back Trenton Cannon for a touchdown.
“It’s awesome to be able to find my groove in the offense,” Darnold said.
Darnold’s biggest test will come against the Falcons on Friday night, when he could end up playing the entire second half.
“I have high expectations that he’ll go out and play well,” McCown said of his young teammate.
Bridgewater echoed McCown’s sentiments.
“Sam’s going to be fine,” he said. “That guy, he’s cool. He’s a cool guy. Seems like a guy you can’t break. And that’s what you want as a quarterback. He’s evenkeeled, makes throws and it’s like, ‘Man, this guy, he’s the real deal.’